Kvitova, a changed person after horrific attack, is 'a bit fearless'

LONDON—Petra Kvitova says the knife attack she experienced during the offseason left her a changed person.

The Czech had a badly damaged hand but shook off the psychological and physical effects, returning at the French Open and winning her second event back in Birmingham. She is now playing Wimbledon, where she is a two-time champion.

"I think I am a little bit different on the court and off the court," Kvitova said before the tournament began. "I think that, before, I was very nervous before every match. Now I['m] seeing that I shouldn't be.

"I'm not sure if it is [because] of what happened, but maybe I feel a bit fearless, I think, because of what happened. I find what's important and what's not."

Sitting on the sidelines also gave Kvitova renewed enthusiasm for the game.

"It was [a] difficult time to [be] watching girls playing on the TV, me sitting on the sofa with the hand in a splint," she said. "I [learned] how I love this sport.

"I still do have the passion which I always had—that’s the most important for me, to have it, because I didn't know how everything will be when I['m] coming back."

Given the circumstances and her popularity on tour, Kvitova has been welcomed back by other players.

"The support from the girls was amazing,” she said. “Have to say, I was a bit surprised how the girls behaved, and [were] still behaving with me. I really do feel most of it is very honest, too, saying that they are really happy to see me back."

Kvitova, who has been as high as No. 2, is No. 12 in the rankings. She defeated Johanna Larsson, 6-3, 6-4, in her opener on Monday.

—GRAND SLAM WEEK: WatchWimbledon Primetime on Tennis Channel, and catch up on the other 2017 Grand Slams on Tennis Channel Plus

—Watch encores from the 2017 French Open and Australian Open on Tennis Channel Plus, including matches like the AO Final showdown between Serena & Venus Williams**