Tennis: Suspect in 2016 knife attack on Petra Kvitova in custody, say reports

Kvitova kissing her trophy after winning the Madrid Open in May 2018. PHOTO: AFP

PRAGUE (REUTERS) - A Czech court on Thursday (May 24) ordered the suspect in a knife attack on two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova to remain in custody, Czech state media reported.

Czech tennis star Kvitova sustained injuries to the tendons in the fingers and thumb or her left hand during the attack at her apartment in December 2016.

She was off court for almost six months though has since returned to the top 10.

Police last year ended their investigation but state television reported on Wednesday (May 23) that an anonymous tip in January led to the detention of a suspect this week.

Police said the case was reopened but declined to say if a suspect has been detained.

A district court remanded a 54-year-old man into custody, state television reported on Thursday.

The court spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

She told newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes's website idnes.cz that the court "decided today on putting into custody the accused in the criminal case of ... P.K."

Kvitova, 28, was ranked 11th in the world at the time of the attack.

The left-hander won the Madrid Open this month, moving her up to 8th in the WTA rankings ahead of the French Open, which is due to start on Sunday.

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