Czech Republic’s tennis star Petra Kvitova is receiving high praise for an incident that beautifully reflects her compassionate nature. The incident unfolded during the round of 16 clash at the Omnium Banque National Canadian Open in Montreal on Friday, involving her opponent, Belinda Bencic. In a touching moment, Bencic suffered an unfortunate ankle injury just in the deciding set of the match.
Friends first, opponents second 🫂@Petra_Kvitova lends a helping hand after @BelindaBencic rolls her ankle.#NBO23 pic.twitter.com/j4HF21LUvd
— wta (@WTA) August 11, 2023
Without hesitation, Kvitova swiftly dashed to Bencic’s side, expressing empathy and kindness. Displaying genuine concern, Kvitova assisted her injured opponent in walking to the chair and actively participated in the process of applying ice to her injured ankle.
This act of sportsmanship showcased Kvitova’s innate compassion amidst the competitive scenario of a professional match.
Reactions from fans:
Such an admirable gesture didn’t go unnoticed, as it sparked a wave of appreciation across the social media platform. Kvitova’s actions resonated beyond the confines of the court, earning her praise for her sportsmanship and humanity.
Convinced that every girl named Petra has a good heart.
— Jay (@JayTical) August 11, 2023
A true act of class & kindness from a very classy player & person. ❤️
— Pete (@Pwas1970) August 11, 2023
I’ve “known” Petra for what seems like ages, but it still melts my heart ♥️ Petra is so sweet! 🥹
— Kamila (@PodolakKamila) August 11, 2023
The incident itself spoke volumes about the spirit of camaraderie and compassion that is still prevalent among professional players. This truly enriches the world of tennis and is much appreciated by fans.
Despite ankle injury, Belinda Bencic wins her match against Petra Kvitova
The third-round match between Petra Kvitova and Belinda Bencic was scheduled for Thursday, however, it was postponed to Friday because of rain. The two formidable opponents seeded 7th and 12th respectively engaged in an intense duel that went the distance. Both hit heavily from the baseline.
With both one set apiece, the match went into the 3rd set when Bencic suffered an ankle injury and grimaced in pain in the second game of the set. After a brief pause of around 10 minutes for medical treatment, the match resumed. Bencic overcame her injury and ultimately triumphed with a score of 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1 in just under three hours, which was an admirable feat considering the circumstances.
Following the match, Kvitova and Bencic exchanged a touching embrace at the net, reaffirming their friendship and shared respect. As Kvitova exited the court, they exchanged a friendly fist bump too. Unfortunately, Bencic’s joy was short-lived as she later suffered defeat against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in the quarterfinals with a score of 6-4, 6-4.