Former Wimbledon champion escapes death but may have to end his career

Petra Kvitova says she is lucky to be alive after being attacked with a knife at her home on December 20.

The Czech, a two-time Wimbledon champion in 2011 and 2014, will undergo surgery after four fingers on her left hand were punctured, a potentially career-threatening injury for Kvitova, who plays with her left hand.

"I'm still shaking. The injury is serious and I need to see specialists," Kvitova said, recounting that she was attacked by a robber in Prostejov, Czech Republic.

Kvitova said she was lucky to be alive after being attacked with a knife. Photo: Reuters.

"It was a random crime. No one would attack or rob her if they knew it was Petra Kvitova," said Kvitova's agent Karel Tejkal.

Petra Kvitova is currently ranked 11th in the world and has won a total of 19 titles in her career. In addition to her two Wimbledon titles, she also won the WTA Finals in 2011.

Initial reports suggest the 26-year-old tennis player let an unknown man, posing as a waiter or delivery person, into her home. Kvitova was injured in the hand while trying to defend herself. The attacker is believed to have fled and is being sought by police.

Kvitova suffered ligament and tendon injuries to her left hand but the severity will not be revealed until surgery is completed.

Petra Kvitova is recovering from a foot injury. She trained in Lanzarote last week but still wore a protective boot on her right foot. This puts the Czech player's participation in the Australian Open, on January 16, in doubt. Kvitova had a strong end to the 2016 season, winning the Wuhan Open and Zhuhai Open. She was also awarded the WTA Women's Fair Play award for the fourth consecutive time.

According to VNE