Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has pulled out of the upcoming Hopman Cup due to an ongoing injury issue.
Earlier this month the Czech suffered a stress fracture on her right foot during her off-season training. Previously Kvitova said that she was ‘hopeful’ about being ready in time for the Perth tournament, however, things hasn’t gone as smoothly as her team hoped.
“I am so disappointed I will be unable to play at the Hopman Cup. The results of an MRI have confirmed that my foot is healing but not as quickly as we would have liked,” said Kvitova.
“The Hopman Cup is a fantastic event and I’m sorry I won’t be able to represent my country in front of the great fans there.”
The setback comes after Kvitova’s successful end to her 2016 season, where she finished 11th in the world rankings. In the later part of this year she won won the Wuhan Open, a Premier tournament, as well as the season-ending Elite Trophy in China.
Kvitova’s withdrawal from the Hopman Cup is a blow for tournament organisers. She was one of only two singles grand slam champions set to play (the other being Roger Federer). Tournament director Paul Kilderry wished the 26-year-old a quick recovery in a brief statement.
“We wish Petra all the best with her recovery over the coming weeks and hope to see her on court in Australia soon,” said Kilderry.
Replacing Kvitova in the draw will be world No.10 doubles player Lucie Hradecka. This season the 31-year-old has won two WTA titles in Quebec and Moscow with compatriot Andrea Hlavackova. She has also won two major doubles titles in her career at the 2011 French Open and the 2013 US Open.
Hradecka will pair up with Adam Pavlasek in the upcoming Hopman Cup. Their first match of the tournament will against the American duo of Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe on the opening day. The Czech pair will also play teams from Spain and Australia in the group stages.
“We welcome Lucie Hradecka to Perth for the first time and look forward to watching her and Adam Pavlasek on day one at Perth Arena for the Czech Republic.” Kilderry said about the late addition.
The 29th Hopman Cup will get underway on January 1st at the Perth Arena.
