Czech tennis star Petra Kvitova is on a forced break for least three months after a burglar entered her home and attacked her with a knife on Tuesday. The attacker had entered her house in Prostejov, Czech Republic, by posing as a utilities staffer. The 26-year-old two-time Wimbledon winner said she was “fortunate to be alive”.
Her spokesperson Karel Tejkal said she had to have surgery on her left hand, her playing hand, which “went well considering the damage”. Tejkal said, “The injury is serious, but the surgeon says Petra is young and healthy and there is no reason why she cannot resume tennis,” BBC reported.
She will have to wear a cast for six to eight weeks to facilitate the healing process. The injury benches her from the Australian Open in January, which is the first Grand Slam tournament of the 2017 tennis season.
The police are on the lookout for the accused. Tejkal said, “It was a random crime, nobody was going to attack or rob her as Petra Kvitova.” Kvitova thanked her supporters for their “heart-warming messages” and said, “I am strong and I will fight this. I would appreciate some privacy while I focus on my recovery.”
The tennis player is currently ranked 11 in the world and has won 19 titles, including Grand Slam victories in 2011 and 2014.
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