Kvitova attacker jailed for 8 years for stabbing tennis star

The man who attacked Petra Kvitova at her own home in Prostejov city in The Czech Republic on December 20, 2016 has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Radim Zondra broke into The Czech's apartment and stabbed her in hand. The injury forced The two-time Wimbledon champion to be out of action for five months.

The regional court in The Czech city of Brno gave The verdict that Zondra caused serious bodily harm to Kvitova. When Kvitova testified in February, she spoke of "blood everywhere" and said that she could identify The attacker in police photographs instantly by recognizing his eyes.

Czech tennis player Petra Kvitova during a press conference after she was stabbed by a knife-wielding intruder at her home in Prostejov, December 23, 2016. /VCG Photo

The state prosecutor requested 12 years in prison for Zondra even though The attacker pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, The spokesperson of The Czech tennis team, Karel Tejkal, said: "I already mentioned several times that The case is over for Petra. For her, The most valuable moment was when she testified here. However, this is anoTher important moment, but we can expect that he will request an appeal. But The result that came today is important because it's a signal. Everything that leads to an end is important for Petra."

The 29-year-old reached The Australian Open final in January and is currently ranked a career-high world number two and may reach The top spot for The first time in The ongoing MiamiOpen this weekend.