Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova receive WTA player-voted awards

Former Roland Garros finalist Lucie Safarova has won the Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award for the fourth consecutive year, as she recognized for the work she has done to support her fellow players, such as efforts made on the Player Council. She has been a member of the Players Council since 2009. Petra Kvitova has picked up the Karen Krantzche Sportsmanship Award for the fifth year in a row and for the sixth time in the last seven years. Both players were voted by WTA Players.

The Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award has been voted by players since 1977. The list of players who won this award features Kim Clijsters, Nicole Pratt, Francesca Schiavone, Pam Shriver and Venus Williams.

“It is a very special feeling to be honoured by your fellow players, and it makes me very happy”, said Safarova.

Kvitova claimed the Karen Krantzche Sportsmaships Award one year after being robbed by a knife-wielding attacker. The twice Wimbledon champion suffered tendon and nerve injuries on her left hand and made her come-back at Roland Garros, where she lost to Bethanie Mattek Sands in the second round. She beat Garbine Muguruza at the US Open to reach the quarter finals before losing to Venus Williams.

The award highlights a player, who respects the rules of fair play, shows respect for others and is gracious on and off the court. Before Kvitova this award introduced in 1978 was won by Kim Clijsters, Elena Dementieva, Ana Ivanovic, Lindsay Davenport, Chris Evert and Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

“I know I have won this award several times, but this year is extra special for me because I missed the first half of the season. We are fighters, we are opponents, but on the other hand we are colleagues as well. So for me, the biggest thing is respect”, said Petra Kvitova.