Two-time grand slam champion Petra Kvitova said she was glad and relieved to hear about the sentence given to the man who attacked her in December 2016.
On Tuesday an eight-year sentence was handed to 33-year-old Radim Zondra by a court in the Czech Republic. Zondra entered Kvitova’s flat by posing as a maintenance man. He then grabbed her from behind and held a knife to her throat. During a tussle between the two, Kvitova sustained cuts to her left hand that damaged both her nerves and tendon. Following the incident, she had to undergo four hours of surgery and was sidelined from the tour for five months.
“I heard that (Tuesday) morning, and I accept the news.” She said. “Of course, I’m happy with the news, and I’m glad that it’s over now.”
Kvitova continues to suffer from the effects of the attack. 16 months on from the incident, she still lacks full feeling in her left hand. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old staged a triumphant return to the tour. Winning six WTA titles since her comeback in May 2016. Kvitova, who reached the final of this year’s Australian Open, is currently ranked second in the world rankings.
Despite a sentence has been handed out, the ordeal may not be fully over. The Agence France-Presse (AGP) news agency has reported that Zonda is set to appeal against his sentence and had pleaded not guilty to the crime. This has been confirmed by Eva Angyalossy, who is a spokeswoman for the regional court in Brno.
The sentencing of Zonda coincided with Kvitova’s quarter-final match at the Miami Open. The Czech crashed out 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-2, to Ash Barty. She was in with a shot of becoming world No.1 for the first time in his career this week, but was required to reach at least the final to have a chance. However, this year is only the second time Kvitova has reached the quarter-finals in Miami.
“It was just on her side this time, and I think she really played well. She didn’t give me anything for free.” She said of Barty, who will now break into the world’s top 10.
“She has a great touch, and those slices sometimes it was, like, amazing, maybe better than from some male players. Definitely was a great game from her.”
Kvitova will now switch her focus to the European clay. Her first tournament on the surface is set to be the Stuttgart Open, which will get underway on April 22nd.
