Petra Kvitova clinched her first title in just her second tournament since returning from a career-threatening hand injury, defeating Australia’s Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Sunday’s Birmingham final.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova was sidelined for five months as she recovered from severe injuries to her left playing hand suffered while fighting off a knife-wielding burglar at her home in the Czech Republic in December.
“I like to play finals on grass. I wish there were more,” said Kvitova.“It’s been an amazing tournament. But there is a lot of work to do. I could not have imagined a better comeback than I am having now.”
Kvitova returned at last month’s French Open, losing in the second round, but will head to Wimbledon as a leading contender for the women’s crown after landing her 20th career title.
The 27-year-old will head into the third Grand Slam tournament of the season as one of the favourites for the title, with reigning champion Serena Williams taking time out from the sport to give birth to her first child, and last year’s runner-up Angelique Kerber having a difficult season.
Kvitova lifted the Wimbledon trophy in 2011 and 2014, but she insisted that despite Sunday’s success, she is not yet back to her best form. “I played just one match in three sets. Come on,” she protested.
“It’s hard to say anything, but I think I’ve been through a very difficult time in my life, and it wasn’t about the tennis, but about coming back healthy and alive and moving my fingers properly and everything like that.”