Two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova will make a welcome return to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships two weeks after winning the St. Petersburg title.
Kvitova, who survived a career threatening knife attack in December 2016, made an emotional return to action at last year’s French Open before winning the Birmingham Open in June 2017. The former World No. 2 then stunned Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza at the US Open before being beaten by former World No. 1 Venus Williams in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
And on Sunday, she claimed her 21st career title in St Petersburg, registering victories over the likes of Elena Vesnina, French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko before dismantling Kristina Mladenovic 6-1, 6-2 in the final. Her recent title triumph would have definitely boosted her confidence and she would be determined to add a second Dubai crown to her ever expanding trophy cabinet.
“We are delighted to welcome one of our former champions back to Dubai,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free. “It is wonderful to see Petra Kvitova making such a strong comeback, and we wish her every success.”
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak added: “Petra Kvitova has demonstrated that she is a real champion off the court as well as on, and we are relieved that she has managed to make such a strong return to the game and that she is well on her way to re-claiming her rightful position at the top. We very much look forward to seeing her compete here again.”
The Czech left-hander will be a part of a strong field that will feature reigning two-time Grand Slam champion Muguruza, two-time former French Open winner Maria Sharapova, double Major winner Angelique Kerber, former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, Brisbane International champ Elina Svitolina, US Open finalist Madison Keys and rising Australian star Ashleigh Barty.
