Paris, Monte Carlo: Petra Kvitova is planning a surprise return at the French Open, six months after her left hand was badly injured in a knife attack, she said on Monday.
The two-time Wimbledon champion suffered severe injuries to her playing hand as she fought off a knife-wielding intruder at her home in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov in December.
Doctors had estimated that the Czech star, ranked 14 in the world, would not be able to return to competition before the second half of the year.
“My name will appear on the entry list for Roland Garros tomorrow,” Kvitova said in a post on her Instagram account. The tournament is to be held from May 28 to June 11.
“As the entry deadline approached, I had made good progress in my recovery process and I want to give myself every last opportunity to be able to compete at one of my favourite events.
“This unfortunately does not mean necessarily that I will be ready to play in Paris, but that I’m doing everything possible to give myself the chance and keep a positive mindset.
“There remains a long road ahead but I wanted to share this update with you. Thanks for your continued support and I hope to see you soon.”
In Monte Carlo, Bernard Tomic’s slump in form continued on Monday at the Monte Carlo Masters as the Australian lost a sixth straight match to exit the first major event of the clay season.
Tomic, whose world ranking has plummeted to 43, went down to Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who fought back from a 4-2 deficit in the second set to produce a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory.
The Queenslander’s last victory was at the Australian Open three months ago, where he reached the third round before losing to Brit Dan Evans.
Tomic struck six double-faults and was broken four times against 41st-ranked Schwartzman, who lost serve only once.
He also lost to Schwartzman in the second round at Istanbul last year.
The Australian is now falling well behind rising compatriot Nick Kyrgios, who is skipping Monte Carlo and starting his Roland Garros run-up campaign in a fortnight at Estoril.
Talented young German Alexander Zverev lost just a handful of games in advancing to the second round by beating Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2 in just 68 minutes.
The teenager, who will turn 20 on Thursday, lives in Monte Carlo but only made his debut in the principality tournament a year ago when he won a round.
The 33-year-old Seppi complained he was far from full fitness after dealing with back pain since February.
“My back is in pieces,” moaned the 74th-ranked Italian.
In an all-British battle, Kyle Edmund got the better of Evans 7-5, 6-1 to earn a meeting with nine-time tournament winner Rafael Nadal in the second round.
