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Top 5 Photos, 5/27: Kvitova competes in Czech tournament

By Jordaan Sanford

Tennis is slowly popping up all over the world. Last weekend, fans watched the UTR Pro Match Series in Florida. This week in the Czech Republic, eight women and eight men also competed with no fans in a charity tournament to raise funds for those affected by the ongoing pandemic. These are the Top 5 photos from the all-Czech event.

1

The sights and scenes at the Sparta Prague tennis club were unlike ever before, with players competing in practice-like conditions. Although, Petra Kvitova is disappointed about playing in empty arenas, she made a roaring return by dismissing Barbora Krejcikova, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

Czech tennis player Petra Kvitova returns a ball to Czech Barbora Krejcikova (unseen) during their match of the Czech Tennis Association (CTS) President's Cup on May 26, 2020 in Prague. - The Czech Tennis Association (CTS) is holding a spectatorless charity tournament to raise funds to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis in the Czech Republic, with the first round set for May 26-28 at the Sparta Prague tennis club. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

(All images Getty)

2

Unlike the two recent UTR events in Florida, the Czech event did not just have two players and an umpire on the court. Ball boys and girls helped facilitate the action and wore gloves and masks at all times.

Ball girls wearing face masks wait for the start of the tennis match between Czech Barbora Krejcikova and Petra Kvitov during their match of the Czech Tennis Association (CTS) President's Cup on May 26, 2020 in Prague. - The Czech Tennis Association (CTS) is holding a spectatorless charity tournament to raise funds to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis in the Czech Republic, with the first round set for May 26-28 at the Sparta Prague tennis club. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

3

Along with the two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova and world No.115 Krejcikova, Barbora Strycova, Kristyna Pliskova and world No. 26 Karolina Muchova joined in on the hard-court action.

Czech Barbora Krejcikova returns a ball to Czech tennis player Petra Kvitova (unseen) during their match of the Czech Tennis Association (CTS) President's Cup on May 26, 2020 in Prague. - The Czech Tennis Association (CTS) is holding a spectatorless charity tournament to raise funds to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis in the Czech Republic, with the first round set for May 26-28 at the Sparta Prague tennis club. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

4

“I have my age and of course I would like to play another Grand Slam, but if it’s like this, I’d rather cancel them,” Kvitova said during the press conference. The world No. 12 was very vocal about her distaste for competing with no fans and replacing handshakes with racquet taps.

(L-R) Czech tennis players Barbora Strycova and Petra Kvitova, the President of the Czech Tennis Association Ivo Kaderka and Czech tennis player Jiri Vesely attend a press conference on the eve of the Czech Tennis Association President's Cup, on May 25, 2020 in Prague. - The Czech Tennis Association is holding a spectatorless charity tournament to raise funds to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis, with the first round set for May 26-28 at the Sparta Prague tennis club. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

5

Although the event was televised, the stands were empty. Media, VIP guests, coaches and ball kids all followed social distancing guidelines and wore masks during the outdoor event.

TOPSHOT - A nun watches the tennis match between Czech Barbora Krejcikova and Petra Kvitov during their match of the Czech Tennis Association (CTS) President's Cup on May 26, 2020 in Prague. - The Czech Tennis Association (CTS) is holding a spectatorless charity tournament to raise funds to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis in the Czech Republic, with the first round set for May 26-28 at the Sparta Prague tennis club. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images