Petra Kvitova relieved after attacker sentenced to 8-year imprisonment
Czech Republic's top tennis player Petra Kvitova, on Wednesday, received the safest news of her life when it was declared that her knife attacker has been sentenced to eight-year imprisonment. In 2016, Kvitova was attacked inside her home using a knife by an unknown attacker, as she sustained career-threatening injuries. Overcoming all odds, she made a comeback to professional tennis in 2017.
Kvitova was attacked in December 2016
In December 2016, a man named Radim Zondra illegally entered Kvitova's house and attacked her with a knife. Kvitova fought back and as a result, she suffered serious injuries to her left playing hand. She underwent treatment to her hand, while doctors were not convinced if she would be able to retain her fingers following the attack.
Zondra faced several charges, imprisoned for eight years
The attacker, Zondra, was charged for assault. Following the trial, he was sentenced on charges that included battery and illegally entering Kvitova's house. However, Czech town Prostejov's regional court spokeswoman Eva Angyalossy said that Zondra had pleaded not guilty. He has two weeks to appeal. Speaking on the verdict, Kvitova said, "I am happy for the news and I am glad that it's over."
Kvitova made comeback in late 2017
Kvitova made a quick recovery and returned to professional tennis in 2017, playing the French Open, where she lost in the second round. While she fell out of top 20, the following year she made a return back into the top five as she won five WTA titles. She continued her good run into the Australian Open 2019, as she finished as the runner-up.
Kvitova loses in quarter-finals, Stuttgart Open to follow
Kvitova entered the ongoing Miami Open as the second-ranked, while she lost to Ashleigh Barty in the quarter-finals. Nonetheless, she is scheduled to next compete in the Stuttgart Open 2019, where she is seeded second. Following Stuttgart, she would play the Madrid Open and Rome Open, before heading over to French Open.
