Petra Kvitova has won the “biggest fight” of her career, and now, back on court, her “dream has come true.” She will play in the women's singles draw at Roland-Garros in 2017.
Petra Kvitova's beaming smile has once again graced the tour, but five months ago the picture was devastating.
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The two-time major winner was sidelined having sustained career-threatening injuries to her playing hand in an horrific knife attack at her home in Prostejov.
The route to recovery has been gruelling, but Kvitova likes a challenge, and the tennis community welcomed the news on Friday that the 27-year-old would contest the French Open in Paris.
Kvitova's name appeared in the women's singles draw as the No.15 seed, drawn to face world No.86 American Julia Boserup in round one in their first meeting.
“I knew this day would come,” revealed an emotional Kvitova. “I'm really happy that here, the dream comes true. It wasn't easy, but I'm happy that I worked through this and I can play tennis and I can be in the draw.
"I'm lucky I'm a positive-thinking person. I was really trying hard to get my hand back in the proper movement. It's not perfectly ready, so we will see how everything goes, but I'm happy that I am able to play again."
Heavyweights hit the practice courts on day 4
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Photo by: FFT
Family fun as Caroline Wozniacki and her father practise.
Photo by: FFT
Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova share a hearty hug before hitting together.
Photo by: FFT
Petra Kvitova unloads on a forehand.
Photo by: FFT
Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi in good spirits ahead of their practice session.
Photo by: FFT
Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi in good spirits ahead of their practice session.
Photo by: FFT
Novak Djokovic prepares to strike while Andre Agassi watches on.
Photo by: FFT
Andre Agassi gives Novak Djokovic some words to the wise.
Photo by: FFT
Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi get hands-on during their practice session.
Photo by: FFT
Rafael Nadal greets Ivan Lendl and Jamie Delgado warmly.
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All smiles as Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal shake hands at the net.
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Feedback time for Rafael Nadal and his team.
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Rafael Nadal exhibits his fearsome forehand under Uncle Toni's watchful eye.
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Rafael Nadal strides purposefully on to the court.
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Garbine Muguruza gets her forehand into gear.
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Garbine Muguruza in discussion with her team.
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Grigor Dimitrov enjoys a well-earned break in the sun.
Photo by: FFT
Grigor Dimitrov serves up a treat during practice.
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Grigor Dimitrov gears up for a backhand slice.
Photo by: FFT
Madison Keys and coach Lindsay Davenport look focused during a serving drill.
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Alexander Zverev sees the funny side during practice.
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Forehanded is forearmed for Alexander Zverev.
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Simona Halep gets into swing on the forehand side.
Photo by: FFT
Richard Gasquet listens intently to some instructions.
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Food for thought on court for Richard Gasquet.
Photo by: FFT
Family fun as Caroline Wozniacki and her father practise.
Photo by: FFT
Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova share a hearty hug before hitting together.
Kvitova was undeterred by the size of the task to return to the upper echelons of the game.
Chess with coach Jiri Vanek kept the competitive streak alive, among the incremental building process back to full fitness. Cycling, running, table tennis and badminton all contributed to the rehabilitation as each day Kvitova patiently worked on her recovery. She has also been studying media and social communications at the University of Jan Amos Komensky.
Remarkably, at the beginning of March, Kvitova held a racquet for the first time. The “weird” sensation turned to relief, as she learnt she wouldn’t have to change technique when wielding her ferocious serve or forehand.
“Of course the hand doesn't have that power and the strength yet, but I'm working on it,” said Kvitova, who reached the Roland-Garros semi-finals in 2012. “Hopefully one day everything will be perfect. I'm happy that when I'm playing I don't have pain in my hand. I haven’t tested it in a match, of course. Maybe it will be different when the nerves come and I’m going be tight and everything. But so far it's okay.”
"Now I can just enjoy everything. It's beautiful weather outside in Paris. Sometimes I just stand outside and see the sun and say, ‘Oh, it's beautiful.’ I see things differently than before."
The 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon champion was warned that she might not be able to play professionally again. Yet now, embarking on her first professional outing since November, she has been welcomed back by her peers in the locker room.
“It was difficult. Not many people believed that I can play tennis again. So I already won my biggest fight, I like challenges,” insisted Kvitova, who watched matches on TV in her absence with a feeling of missing out. “I felt like the tennis was taken away from me, and it wasn't my decision. Suddenly I couldn't do what I love. But I stayed in life and I have all my fingers, I can play tennis and I can be here.”
Time away from the sport has enabled Kvitova to renew her passion for tennis, giving her a fresh perspective.
“I had the time in my career when I doubted if I do have the motivation, if I want to play." she said. “I see life from the different angle, it's just a sport. When I don't put a ball inside the court, I'm not crying. From that angle, it's much better, it felt really weird I couldn't compete.
"Actually, I didn't miss the nerves before and after the match. But I definitely missed being on the court, I did miss the fight. Now I can just enjoy everything. It's beautiful weather outside in Paris. Sometimes I just stand outside and see the sun and say, ‘Oh, it's beautiful.’ I see things differently than before.”
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