I am sorry to admit that I actually don’t know much about the new Wimbledon Ladies’ Champion Petra Kvitova, except that she is only 21, comes from the Czech Republic, has loyal supporters in Martina Navratilova and perhaps the last true ladies’ serve and volley player Jana Novotna, hardly grunts/screams, hits powerful flat groundstrokes, and despite a tendency to hit her forehands a tad bit too long, has the mental strength and composure to not let those frustrating mistakes get to her. Oh, and I also know how to pronounce her last name (kuh-vit-uh-vah).

Its an understatement to say she destroyed Sharapova today. Petra Kvitova was fantastic. She served well, hit hard and flat, and gave Maria a taste of her own medicine. She held her nerve at the most crucial moments, and punished Maria’s loose shots almost every single time. The latter’s doulefaults, pathetic first serves and innumerable unforced errors only helped Petra’s cause. But the girl is good, and she is only 21. I have a strong feeling, if she improves this form, cuts down on her unforced errors, manages to avoid major injuries, she will be one player to watch out for. It seems to me she has got everything it takes to be a champion several times over. Although, a word of appreciation for Sharapova is due- coming back from a major shoulder injury and starting to play tennis and building your game from the scratch, is a tremendous, tremendous achievement. Kudos to her for having reached the Wimbledon final. Kvitova was just too good for her today.

What surprised me most about today’s match though was Petra’s reaction after she won. She didn’t jump or scream or shadow punch the air (refer to Azarenka’s reaction after her quarterfinal victory, which I though was pretty cool) or even run up to the player’s box to hug her folks. She just smiled her big smile and waved to the crowd. Seemed to me like a very modest reaction to winning your very first Grand Slam title, that too at Wimbledon! Didn’t even say much in the interview at the award ceremony. She should be ecstatic, she should be screaming her lungs out! But she didn’t do any of that! Seems like I need to find out more about Petra Kvitova and what kind of person she really is. Will be back soon.