More than five years have passed since a burglar stabbed Petra Kvitova, but her recovery since has been incredible.
The world was left stunned by the news of Kvitova being stabbed in her dominant left hand during a break-in at her house. Thankfully, the lowlife who committed the crime received an eight-year prison sentence in 2019.
Initially told she would probably miss six months due to the injury from the attack, Kvitova returned a month ahead of schedule at the French Open, reaching the second round in Paris.
Incredibly, Kvitova won a title in just the second tournament of her comeback and first on grass at the Birmingham Classic. The 32-year-old defeated the future Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty in the final.
Although Kvitova did not progress past the third round of any of the Grand Slams in 2018, it was still one of the best seasons of her career. She won two WTA 1000 titles at the Qatar Open and the Madrid Open.
Kvitova also secured WTA 500 titles at the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy and the Birmingham Classic and a 250 level crown on home soil in Prague. Those achievements meant she ended 2018 at No. 7, 22 places higher than 2017.
The two-time Wimbledon champion reached her first Grand Slam final in over four years at the 2019 Australian Open, losing to Naomi Osaka in three sets. Kvitova's sole title that year came at the Stuttgart Open.
After the pandemic disrupted much of the 2020 season, the Czech beat Garbine Muguruza to win a second Qatar Open title. This year, she claimed the title at the Eastbourne International and was the runner-up to Caroline Garcia at the Cincinnati Open.
Kvitova's recovery since that horrific incident in December 2016 has been inspirational, and she seems to have much great tennis left in her.
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