Former Wimbledon champ Kvitova suffers serious stab wounds in brutal burglary
Former double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has suffered serious stab injuries after being attacked by an intruder in her home in the Czech Republic.
The current world No. 11 sustained significant hand injuries in what appears to be an aggravated burglary by a knife-wielding assailant. The suspect, believed to be a male in his mid-30s, is said to have fled the property in Prostejov with €185 ($192) in cash following the incident.
Thank you for all your messages. As you may have already heard, today I was attacked in my apartment by an individual with a knife
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 20, 2016
In my attempt to defend myself, I was badly injured on my left hand. I am shaken, but fortunate to be alive. The injury is severe and I will
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 20, 2016
need to see specialists, but if you know anything about me I am strong and I will fight this. Thank you all again for your love and support
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 20, 2016
Police spokesman Frantisek Korinek said: “Today before half past eight in the morning, a 26-year-old woman was attacked near Prostejov. The unidentified perpetrator broke into the apartment using a ruse.”
Kvitova has received a series of well wishes from team-mates and fans and expressed her gratitude for the messages on Facebook.
"Thank you all for your messages and support," she wrote. "What happened to me, it was certainly not pleasant, but it's behind me. Now for me is the main doctors to find out what's on my arm.
"I trust them and believe that this goes well, I have the best care and I'm in contact with my loved ones. The worst thing I've done. Thanks again for thinking of me. Don't worry about me!"
The injuries were sustained to Kvitova's left-hand, which is her playing hand and, according to Reuters, she is now undergoing surgery after seeing a specialist. The former world No.2 had earlier sent a tweet confirming that a foot injury had ruled her out of her country’s Hofman Cup tie with the USA on January 1.
I am so disappointed that I cannot play at the @hopmancup The results of an MRI have confirmed that my foot is healing, but (1/2) pic.twitter.com/9OLvRxyjOA
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 20, 2016
not as quickly as we would have liked. The Hopman Cup is a fantastic event and I'm sorry I won't be able to represent my country there (2/2)
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 20, 2016
This isn’t the first time a high-profile female tennis player has been stabbed.
In 1993 Monica Seles was attacked on-court in Hamburg, Germany by a deranged Steffi Graf fan. She received a significant injury to her back and did not resume her professional career for two years.
