By Ros Satar
- Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was attacked on Tuesday morning at her home
- The left-hander required an operation on her left hand
- Will miss at least the first three months of the season
PROSTEJOV, CZECH REPUBLIC – Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is out of tennis action for at least three months after being attacked with a knife during a burglary at her home.
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Petra Kvitova, who had already withdrawn from the Hopman Cup after suffering a stress fracture in her foot answered the door to a workman there to supposedly read a utility meter around breakfast-time before being threatened with a knife.
She sustained her injuries defending herself, and the intruder is thought to have escaped and is still being hunted by police. It is believed to be a random burglary and that the Czech star had not been particularly targeted but this of course brought back uncomfortable memories of the stabbing of Monica Seles by an assailant at a tennis match in 1993.
Kvitova later released a statement on her Facebook page:
Later on Tuesday evening her manager Katie Spellman provided the following updates on Twitter.
Petra has undergone surgery for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Considering the extent of the damage, the surgery went very well. Doctors repaired
— Katie Spellman (@Spellman_Katie) December 20, 2016
to tendons in all five digits of the left hand as well as two nerves. Petra will wear a cast on her hand for 6-8 weeks and will be unable to
— Katie Spellman (@Spellman_Katie) December 20, 2016
bear weight for 3 months. We hope to have more information for you tomorrow. Thank you for your incredible support
— Katie Spellman (@Spellman_Katie) December 20, 2016
Kvitova revealed in 2014, where she won her second Grand Slam title at SW19 that when she first won, the attention had been a little overwhelming and it had taken time to adjust to being a Grand Slam champion. She is regarded as one of the nicest players on the tour, and players were quick to post their support and good wishes.
My thoughts and prayers are with Petra! She’s a great fighter and I am positive she will be ok! @Petra_Kvitova thinking of you!
— Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) December 20, 2016
Just heard what happened to @Petra_Kvitova ! All my thoughts are with her today! So scary! One of the nicest people I know!
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) December 20, 2016
So upset hearing the news about @Petra_Kvitova. Hands down one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. All my thoughts with her
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) December 20, 2016
@Petra_Kvitova very very sorry to hear what happened I hope you fully recover asap
— Çağla Büyükakçay (@CaglaBuyukakcay) December 20, 2016
Kvitova may have finished just outside the Top 10 this year (WR. 11) but finished the year with two titles – Wuhan and Zhuhai, and reached the fourth round of the US Open as her best Slam result this year.
She also won the Bronze medal this year at the Rio 2016 Olympics and was part of the triumphant Czech team to win the Fed Cup for the third straight year.
It is, of course, uncertain when she could even begin to target a full return to the tour, and we wish her the best and a full recovery.
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