Kvitova plays down chance of defending title in Dubai

The Czech left-hander, 23, had to pull out of her country’s Fed Cup tie against Spain in Seville earlier this month citing ill health.

She reached the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open last week, when she lost in straight sets to Jelena Jankovic, but it is clear her hopes of retaining the trophy in the emirate haven’t been helped by her enforced spell on the sickbed.

“I was tired when I came here, so I needed a day off to recover my body,” Kvitova explained. “I then started practice and everything was fine. “I feel good and I’m not injured, which is the important thing. I just need some more energy and I hope that it’s going to get better and better.

“My health is the priority, for sure. If I’m not healthy, I cannot play well and those two things go together. My health definitely comes first. I don’t have any expectations. I’ve seen the draw and it’s really tough. This tournament is totally different to Doha, Indian Wells or Miami.

“From the first round here, it’s almost like you have to play a quarter-final at most of the other tournaments. If you’re not really 100 per cent ready for the first round here, then it’s very tough. I’ve come from Doha, where — as in 2013 — I played some good matches, so I hope that it’s going to be as good as last year again. I’m going to try my best once more.”

It has been a difficult start to the year for Kvitova, who suffered a shock first-round exit to Thailand’s Luksika Kumkhum at the Australian Open last month prior to her debilitating virus.

However, having taken sufficient time to rid herself of both setbacks mentally and physically, she is hoping for bigger and better things to come. “It was hard as I was definitely expecting more than the first round. It took some time to get over that,” the 2011 Wimbledon champion admitted.

“I then wanted to play in Paris. I asked for the wildcard, but unfortunately I was sick and I couldn’t play. That match from the Australian Open stayed in my mind for a long time until Doha, so I’m glad that it’s already in the past and I’m just looking forward to the future. That’s something I need to get over and play better.”

alex@khaleejtimes.com