PETRA KVITOVA ADMITTED her desire for a third Wimbledon title had left her a bag of nerves as the Czech star suffered a stunning first-round exit.
Kvitova was the bookmakers’ favourite for the women’s singles crown after an impressive return to form this year.
But the 28-year-old was beaten 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 by unheralded Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Kvitova’s early exit was especially surprising given she had won five titles in 2018, including the grass-court tournament at Birmingham last weekend, while amassing a WTA Tour-leading 38 match victories.
But eighth seed Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, revealed her burning desire to take another Grand Slam title had been her undoing against world number 50 Sasnovich.
“I’m sad. I wanted to win very badly, maybe too much. The nerves were there again. I just tried to kind of fight with myself,” she said.
“Probably I was the biggest opponent I could have. I didn’t really have a clear mind. I was thinking a little bit too much.
“Of course, the hand is not moving as easily as it should be, so I’m tight. I didn’t move that well either.
“I think I didn’t really care that much (about winning) before. I do care now. So, yeah, probably that’s why.”
It was another Grand Slam setback for Kvitova, who has gone out before the quarter-finals in five of her six appearances at the majors since returning to action following the horrific stabbing that derailed her career in 2016.
The knife attack at Kvitova’s home left severe lacerations to all four fingers on her playing hand.
Kvitova conceded she feels extra pressure to play her best at Wimbledon after her past success and that had contributed to her collapse when she felt the Sasnovich match slipping away.
“Probably in Wimbledon it’s a little bit more than the other Grand Slams because obviously I know I can play well,” she said.
“But it is how it is. Yeah, I think it’s the worst one.
“I think the worst pressure is in the first rounds, second rounds, and third rounds. After that it’s fine.”
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