Petra Kvitova is still hopeful of playing at Wimbledon this year after announcing her withdrawal from next week’s tournament in Birmingham.
After withdrawing from Roland Garros due to a wrist injury, Kvitova has been rehabilitating back home in the Czech Republic in order to be ready for the grass court season.
However, despite the extra rest it seems that Kvitova needs more time off as she withdrew from the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham next week.
Speaking on twitter, the two-time Wimbledon champion also claimed that she is hopeful of playing the second grand slam of the year, “Unfortunately Birmingham is too soon,” Kvitova said on social media. “But I’m working really hard to get back as soon as possible. Keeping everything crossed for Wimbledon.”
https://twitter.com/the_LTA/status/1138798297378897921
The news means that the world number five will be unable to defend her title next week and is facing a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon.
According to sources close to Kvitova’s spokesman, Karel Tejkal, conditions are improving for the former Wimbledon champion but it could be a last minute decision to see whether she can play at SW19,
As a result, Karolina Pliskova has taken a wildcard into next week’s event in Birmingham and is looking forward to playing there, “I’m very happy to be coming back to Birmingham because it has a fantastic line-up of players this year and the competition will be really strong,” Pliskova said to the LTA website.
“There is no better way to open my grass court season. I have great memories of playing in the final there in 2015 and I’d love to go one better this time.”
Other withdrawals from the event include Madison Keys and Garbine Muguruza as the grass court season picks up pace with some of the top WTA stars next week.
There is still a world-class field in the Nature Valley Classic next week with world number one Naomi Osaka and Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty leading the field.
The action begins on Monday the 17th of June.
