Jim Courier names the Grand Slam winner Petra Kvitova reminded him of as she loses her final match at Wimbledon

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Petra Kvitova enjoyed a legendary tennis career, winning two Grand Slam titles and the WTA Finals.

The Czech legend won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2011, defeating Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the final.

Three years later, Kvitova won Wimbledon for a second time, when she took down Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets.

Now aged 35, Kvitova is set to retire from tennis in 2025, and was competing at Wimbledon one final time.

Unfortunately for the former world number two, she couldn’t secure the win in her opening match as she lost to Emma Navarro 3-6, 1-6.

Reflecting on Kvitova’s stellar career, Jim Courier named the major winner whom she reminded him of.

Jim Courier says Petra Kvitova reminded him of Australian Open champion Petr Korda

Appearing on the Tennis Channel, Courier compared Kvitova to another Czech tennis legend.

“It must not have been too lovely to be on the other side of the net when she was at her apex, this is one of the sweetest strikers of a tennis ball that you will see, especially on fast courts, just beautiful timing,” he said.

“Reminds me of her fellow Czech, Petr Korda, back in our time on tour, when he was in the zone, he was unplayable.

“I feel that way about Kvitova, a lefty like Petr, just elegant on the court and off the court.

“We will miss her, but she has a lot to look forward to with her family life, of course.”

Lindsay Davenport was keen to weigh in with her thoughts as she spoke highly of the two-time Wimbledon champion.

“She’s so well-liked off the court. Never upset anyone; everyone loves her. It was great to follow her and her career,” she said.

Courier said Kvitova reminded him of Korda, a Grand Slam champion in his own right.

Korda contested two singles Grand Slam finals in his career, at the French Open in 1992 and at the Australian Open in 1996.

Losing his first to Courier at Roland Garros, the Czech was determined to emerge victorious the second time around.

Travelling to Melbourne as the number six seed in 1996, Korda battled his way through to the final, where he took on Chile’s Marcelo Rios.

• 1996 Australian Open 1R – Petr Korda beat Albert Portas, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
• 1996 Australian Open 2R – Petr Korda beat Scott Draper, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3
• 1996 Australian Open 3R – Petr Korda beat Vincent Spadea, 6-2, 7-6, 6-2
• 1996 Australian Open 4R – Petr Korda beat Cedric Pioline, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
• 1996 Australian Open QF – Petr Korda beat Jonas Bjorkman, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
• 1996 Australian Open SF – Petr Korda beat Karol Kucera, 6-1, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2

Winning in straight sets, Korda dominated Rios 6-2, 6-2, 6-2, to clinch his sole major title.

He returned to Melbourne just once more in 1999, losing in the third round to Todd Martin before retiring from tennis shortly after when he received a 12-month doping ban.

Petra Kvitova says Wimbledon is the ‘best tournament in the world’

During her post-match press conference, Kvitova gave her verdict on the tournament, which she won in 2011 and 2014.

“Wimbledon was the main thing that shaped me throughout my career, as a person as well. I do get along very nicely with the English people, with their sense of humour as well, I love it,” she said.

“I think it was the main thing which happened to me in my life, from nobody, I was somebody.”

Looking back at the second of her two Wimbledon wins, Kvitova believes she proved herself at the ‘best tournament in the world’.

“I was struggling a little bit as well, but the second title was the best as well, that was something that was satisfying, proving that I could play well and that I was a good player,” she said.

“Even though I was in the top ten for a pretty long time, the Grand Slams are the biggest trophies that you can have, and to have two, especially Wimbledon, is something very special and an honor to have.

“I think it’s the best tournament in the world.”

Kvitova will retire as one of just three players, alongside Serena and Venus Williams, to have won multiple Wimbledon titles this century, esteemed company for the Czech legend.