Tennis star Petra Kvitova fortunate to be alive after knife attack

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is fortunate to be alive after being attacked by a burglar with a knife on Tuesday at her apartment in Prostejev, Czech Republic. She sustained severe injuries in her left hand.

It has been reported that surgeons spent almost four hours repairing tendons and nerves on her left hand. The operation took 3 hours and 45 minutes. Her spokesman said that the surgery went well.

According to BBC, an unknown assailant entered Petra’s apartment with an attempt to rob the place. The said intruder disguised himself as someone who will check the utility meter. The robber went inside the bathroom and found Petra and held a knife on her throat. Luckily, she was able to break free.

"In my attempt to defend myself, I was badly injured on my left hand. I am shaken, but fortunate to be alive," Kvitova wrote on Twitter.

According to her manager Katie Spellman, Petra will wear a cast for six to eight weeks since the doctor said that she cannot bear weight on the injured hand for at least three months.

"The injury is serious, but the surgeon says Petra is young and healthy and there is no reason why she can't resume tennis," publicist Karel Tejkal told the AFP news agency. There is no timetable yet when the tennis star will be back.

Petra will unfortunately miss the Australian Open as well as the significant part of the season.