Disturbing image reveals full extent of Petra Kvitova's ordeal

Petra Kvitova was given next to no hope of being able to play tennis again, let alone make another grand slam final.

Twelve months on from a first-round loss at Melbourne Park that left her in the depths of despair, Kvitova is within touching distance of making the venue the site of her third – and most remarkable – grand slam triumph.

Victory over Japan’s Naomi Osaka in Saturday night’s Australian Open final would cap off an astonishing comeback for the Czech world No.6, who suffered a knife attack in late 2016 which threatened to end her career.

Already the two-time Wimbledon champion has progressed further than she dared dream was possible.

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Doctors gave her a 10 per cent chance of again playing elite tennis after the violent home invasion which left her with a near-severed finger and nerve damage in her hand.

Czech media has since released disturbing images of Kvitova’s hand immediately after the attack, which can be seen by clicking the link in the following tweet (WARNING: GRAPHIC).

There were also mental scars

Kvitova couldn’t even be alone in a change room when she returned to the main stage at the 2017 French Open.

A first-round loss to German Andrea Petkovic at last year’s Australian Open was a self-described low point in her comeback.

“I felt really terrible,” Kvitova said.

“Of course losing in Wimbledon was hurting a lot, as well, at the time. I think those two losses were really tough for me. Was especially in the grand slams, of course.

“How I felt wasn’t really nice. Sometimes I’m probably too stressed and it’s not really great.”

To say Kvitova has bounced back is an understatement.

The left-hander is on an 11-match winning streak and is in such a good place mentally that she hasn’t worked at all with her sports psychologist this month – something she described as a “very good thing”.

She also boasts an enviable record in title deciders

Of the last eight finals she has played – including the Elite Trophy in Zhuhai before her attack – Kvitova has won all of them.

“I think it feels better to know this, that I do have better percentage of winning than losing in the final,” she said.

“Every final is different, because every time is just different opponent or different place or time but I really love playing finals.

“I love playing on the big stages and this will be one of them.”

As well as the Australian Open crown, the winner will take over the world No.1 ranking from Simona Halep.

Kvitova said her fitness level since her return to tennis had given her confidence of going the distance against reigning US Open champion Osaka.

“I’m able to be there and run and fight whatever is happening,” she said.

“Definitely everything is together. It’s very connected and I’m happy for that.”

with AAP