Petra Kvitova has withdrawn from the 2023 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart due to a reported foot injury.
Fans were eagerly anticipating her first-round match against Russian player Anastasia Potapova, especially in light of the recent tension surrounding their political views. Kvitova had previously expressed her belief that Russian players should not participate in the Olympics, leading to backlash from former WTA player Svetlana Kuznetsova, who accused Kvitova of 'Russophobia'.
Potapova, for her part, made her own statement at Indian Wells by wearing a Spartak Moscow jersey. The stage was set for an electrifying showdown in Stuttgart, which would be surely watched by many, especially because of the handshake as the tennis community often says, but fate had other plans.
In an announcement, two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova expressed her regret for not being able to compete in Stuttgart due to her foot injury.
"I'm really sorry I can't play in Stuttgart this year. Unfortunately, I'm a bit injured and I need to take care of my foot, but I hope that I'm gonna be here next year."
"I came here to Stuttgart hoping to be ready to play but unfortunately the pain in my right foot is still bothering me and I know that I won't be able to complete at 100 per cent. I wish everyone here a great tournament and hope to be back to full health soon."
Although Kvitova's presence will be surely missed, the draw for the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart is full of star names and Grand Slam champions such as Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Jelena Ostapenko, Emma Raducanu and more, and so the event still promises to be a spectacle.
On the other hand, the Czech player will now want to focus on her recovery to be ready for the clay-court major, but especially the grass-court season which is her favourite part of the year thanks to her previous success.
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