Zoom Q&A: Quality auntie time savored, 'strict' Kvitova set for return

While the WTA tour was on pause for five months, fans of Petra Kvitova were able to keep up with the Czech thanks to her active Instagram account. A golf lesson, Rio Olympics flashback and a true/false question about picking up mechanic skills were among the many highlights. "Auntie Petra" also made several appearances, as the two-time Wimbledon winner soaked up the unexpected time with her family.

Tennis also maintained a central presence. Though Kvitova wasn't hitting everyday, with the ambiguity of the tennis calendar hanging over players' heads for an indefinite period, the current No. 12 stayed sharp by appearing at multiple exhibitions. Among them included the bett1 ACES in Berlin—an event that saw the left-hander reunite with her favorite surface, grass, before competing inside Hangar 6 at Tempelhof Airport.

TENNIS.com caught up with Kvitova ahead of her first match at the Western & Southern Open to talk about her Berlin experience, the push and pull of preparing for the Flushing Meadows doubleheader, and the one dinner she could eat for three consecutive weeks.

Welcome back. How are you feeling now that you’ve had a few days to get settled in New York?

First of all, it’s great to be back, however the situation looks like. I think the US Open and WTA have done a great job. I feel safe, that’s important. It’s a little bit boring, but on the other hand, what’s important is the health. I came on Wednesday, so not that many days here, with the jet lag and everything. So I still do have a lot of things to do, even if we can’t go out. That’s how it is. I’m really glad that we can be back and playing.

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For a while, there was uncertainty that the US Open would move forward. How did you strike the balance of preparing for not just one event at Flushing Meadows but two?

During the lockdown, I was still doing something every day, but it wasn’t that much. It was a little tough for me to do it do by myself. I hit twice or three times a week. We didn’t know what the future [would] bring, but now we are here. I put in three weeks of preparation in Europe and I’m really glad that I was able to make it to play Cincinnati as the first tournament after such a long time. And as a preparation for the US Open.

We saw some pictures of ‘Auntie Petra’ on Instagram during the shutdown. Are you a strict aunt? Or do you let the kids bend the rules?

To be honest, I’m strict as well off the court. The kids were following the rules perfectly, so I didn’t have anything to say against them. It was very easy. The Czech Republic, everyone was following the rules pretty nicely, so that’s why we do have a good situation and good numbers with COVID. I’m glad with how everything went, that I spent time with my family. The kids of course, I love them so I was really happy that I could spent a lot of time with them.

In July, you had the opportunity to play on grass, and then in an airport hangar, of all places. What was that experience like, with all the amazing venues you’ve stepped foot in over the years?

The whole tournament was very special. We played on the grass and then the hangar, which was very unusual. I really missed the grass and played two matches it on it. Unfortunately not the final, but still it was a great exhibition over there. I really enjoyed it and in such beautiful places that it was something so different. It was really fun.

That qualifies as a pretty unique experience, but what’s something else unexpected or crazy you did during your time away from the tour?

I can’t say it was crazy but for me, it was kind of. I was running with a mask on and I couldn’t really breathe. I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, I really have to work so hard.’ At the end of the day, I was glad that I could take it off and be running normally.

Since you'll be inside the bubble for the foreseeable future, what is one dinner you could eat every day for three weeks, and one you would absolutely get tired of?

That’s tough. Overall, I like Czech cuisine but I don’t think I would be able to have it for three weeks. Maybe some Italian or sushi. Yeah, I like sushi.