An ‘anonymous tip’ has resulted in the detention of a suspect over the knife attack on Petra Kvitova, according to the Czech Republic’s national broadcaster.
CT24, which is the news channel of Česká televize, has quoted sources saying that a man has recently been arrested in connection with the incident. In December 2016 Kvitova suffered damage to the nerves and tendons in her left hand after being involved in a struggle with an intruder armed with a knife. The suspect gained entry into Kvitova’s Prostejov apartment after posing as a maintenance man.
Following the incident, Kvitova underwent four hours of surgery to repair the damage done to her hand. She was warned initially that there was a possibility that she may never be able to play tennis again, but defied to odds by returning to the tour six months later at the French Open.
“At the beginning, it was very tough. I was still looking around me [for the attacker], if he’s there, maybe, somewhere. It was a very weird feeling. I do have flashbacks and thoughts on it, but it’s better. The authorities still want to catch him, and hopefully someday they will.” Kvitova recently said in an ESPN article about her recovery.
The Czech police is yet to confirm the arrest of the suspect. According to CT24 the male has allegedly been involved in past attacks on ‘senior’ members of the public and is known to authorities. He is also said to be involved in the drugs scene, according to the websites editor Jiří Hynek.
Czech daily newspaper Blesk has reported that the individual was arrested on Tuesday morning after being identified in a photo by Kvitova. Although this has not been formally confirmed. Kvitova has not commented on the arrest, but her spokesperson Karel Tajkal has made a statement on her behalf.
“Because I do not want to threaten the course of the investigation, I will not comment,” Tejkal told Blesk.cz. “Petra is in Paris and is getting ready for the tournament. When she receives some vital information, she’s going to deal with it.”
Since returning to the tour last June, two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova has won four titles on the WTA Tour and is currently ranked eighth in the world.
It is assumed that police will make a formal statement concerning the arrest on Thursday morning.
