Kvitova and Pironkova compete for greatest comeback

By Christian Mesiano - Petra KvitovaUploaded by Flickrworker, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28316537

There are many inspiring stories in the world of tennis. Still, two of the most remarkable have been continuing to unfold during the truncated 2020 season, namely the amazing comebacks of Petra Kvitova and Tsvetana Pironkova.

In 2016, Petra Kvitova was renowned as one of the most dangerous players in women's tennis. A mighty hitter, her power had already won her two Wimbledon titles, and she had high hopes of adding to her Grand Slam haul. At the end of that year, however, a traumatic incident changed her life.

A man wielding a knife entered her apartment and slashed her hand, causing significant nerve damage. There were serious doubts as to whether she would be able to play again.

Nonetheless, showing great determination, she returned at the French Open a few months later and has gone on to make a gradual return to the top of the sport.

At the 2020 French Open, revisiting the venue where she returned to tennis, which always stirred deep emotions in her, she made an impressive run to the semi-final.

By Andrew Campbell - Tsvetana Pironkova, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41519990

Tsvetana Pironkova was a crafty player whose astute tactical play and primarily sliced forehand had taken her to a Wimbledon semi-final in 2010, and who typically found herself somewhere in the middle of the world's top 100. 2017 was a moderate year for her.

Following a second-round defeat at Wimbledon, she was sidelined by a shoulder injury. After this, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son in April 2018.

Pironkova did not play in 2018 or 2019, leading most observers to assume that her career was over. Her comeback came in 2020 when she entered the US Open.

By PROGuillaume Baviere - https://www.flickr.com/photos/84554176@N00/8886401995/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47975219

Despite this being her first tournament in over three years, she made an astonishing run to the quarter-final, playing better than ever, and followed this up by reaching the third round at Roland Garros.

Both of these women have shown that it is possible to continue chasing your dreams even when virtually everyone has written you off.

We can all take inspiration from their courage and self-belief. 2021 could be a fantastic year for both of these resurgent players, and we look forward to seeing what they achieve.

We salute their resilience!