Tennis star Petra Kvitova posts touching message after knife attack return

Tennis star Petra Kvitova has posted a touching message after her appearance at Wimbledon marked her successful recovery from a vicious knife attack.

The two-time Wimbledon champion lost in the Grand Slam's second round on Wednesday, half a year on from the attack which left her requiring surgery to save two fingers.

Having won the Aegon Classic in Birmingham last month, the 27-year-old Czech found herself one of the favourites to win Wimbledon this year round.

But despite her three-set defeat to world number 95 Madison Brengle, Kvitova saw the positive side in her progress.

Taking to Instagram, she said she had reached her goal of playing Grand Slam tennis again.

She wrote: "I am home sooner than I wanted to be, but you know what?

"I reached my goal, to play tennis again, to play tennis at Wimbledon and to compete in the sport I love.

"The last six months were difficult but now I can push restart. This is only the beginning of my new journey and I will come back stronger.

"See you next year, my dear #wimbledon."

Kvitova managed to make a return to tennis just six weeks after the attack at her home last Christmas.

During the break-in, the knife-wielding assailant robbed and assaulted the sportswoman.