Wednesday 21 December 2016 18:03, UK
Hopes are high that Petra Kvitova will be able to resume her tennis career after she was injured in a knife attack on Tuesday.
The two-time Wimbledon champion was attacked by an intruder at her home and is expected to be out for a minimum of three months after undergoing a successful near four-hour operation on what is her racket-holding hand
"Doctors are optimistic she will be able to play tennis again," said her PR manager, Katie Spellman.
"Petra had surgery for three hours, 45 minutes. Considering the damage to her left hand, it was a success.
"She had tendon damage to all five digits on her left hand, and nerve damage to two of them.
"She's been told she will have to have her hand in a splint for six to eight weeks, and will be unable to bear any load for three months."
The 26-year-old world No 11 was injured when she defended herself during a robbery at her apartment in Prostejove, Czech Republic.
The intruder reportedly posed as a utilities man seeking to read a meter in order to gain access to the apartment, before Kvitova injured her hand when he put a knife to her throat and she pulled it away.
The big-hitting left-hander underwent a successful near four-hour operation on what is her racket-holding hand on Tuesday evening.
And she had earlier released a statement which read: "Today I was attacked in my apartment by an individual with a knife.
"In my attempt to defend myself, I was badly injured on my left hand. I am shaken, but fortunate to be alive.
"The injury is severe and I will need to see specialists but, if you know anything about me, I am strong and I will fight this. Thank you all again for your love and support."
