Petra Kvitova has opened up about the terrifying knife attack she suffered which put her career in doubt, admitting she was left ‘crying on the court’ and ‘having nightmares’.
The Czech Republic tennis star, now 35, is playing her final tournament this month at the US Open after announcing her retirement from the sport earlier this summer.
She shot onto the scene more than 14 years ago when she won Wimbledon in 2011, becoming the first player born in the 1990s to secure a Grand Slam title.
That first major was followed by a host of tournament victories worldwide, making Kvitova one of the most recognised names in women’s tennis.
But in 2016 she suffered a huge setback in her career after being the victim of a horrific knife attack when an intruder entered her home.
The criminal, 33-year-old Radim Kondra, told the sportswoman he was at the house to inspect a boiler before grabbing her from behind and holding a knife to her throat.
As she tried to free herself, Kvitova, then aged 26, suffered severe wounds to her left hand, leaving her fearing her career could be over.
Before undergoing surgery, doctors gave her just a 10 per cent chance of taking to the professional court again – but Kvitova made a miraculous return just six months later. She too went on to win a further 12 titles on her way to a career high of world No 2.
Now, ahead of her retirement, the tennis star has reflected on the petrifying ordeal.
‘I knew I was a big fighter on the court but at that time I realised how I am an even bigger fighter in a totally different version of myself,’ she told The Guardian this week.
‘That was great, even though it was very tough to play tennis. I cried on the court, I had really bad flashbacks, I was having nightmares.
‘So it wasn’t easy, it took a while but it’s all good now. There was a question mark, can I play tennis or not? And I could. It was my second career. It was amazing.’
Speaking about her retirement this month, the tennis star admitted she has ‘no regrets’ about her career.
‘You still remember how you played before, how everything was smooth and I was hitting winners and suddenly it’s not there,’ she added.
‘I’m totally ready [to retire]. I’m not regretting anything. I still love tennis but everything else, waiting for the practices, waiting for the car, waiting for a match, it’s just tiring.
‘And having a son, it’s a totally different life. I just want to spend more time with him as well.
Kvitova welcomed her son, named Petr, with her tennis coach husband in July 2024.
She goes into her final ever tournament in New York this week seeded 14th – and will no-doubt be hoping to end her career triumphantly.
