Petra Kvitova says she feels she is enjoying a “second career” after reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Kvitova suffered a potentially career-ending hand injury when attacked in her home in December 2016.
The former world number two missed the Australian Open two years ago as a result of the injury and her run through to the semi-finals in Melbourne this year is her best performance in a Grand Slam since returning.
“It wasn’t easy to see myself in a semi-final after everything,” she said after beating home hopeful Ashleigh Barty 6-1 6-4 in the last eight. “I’m calling it my second career. So it’s the first semi-final of the second career.”
Kvitova will come up against unseeded American Danielle Collins in the semi-finals and could claim top spot in the world rankings for the first time in her career after the tournament, with current number one Simona Halep eliminated by Serena Williams.
However, the 28-year-old Czech star says her focus is on the Australian Open rather than her ranking. “I don’t think there’s any room here to think about that now,” she added, “The next match – playing Danielle in the semi-final – that’s what matters right now.”
Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina or Karolina Pliskova are the other players who could move to the top of the WTA rankings depending on their progress at Melbourne Park.
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