Forces Kvitova out of Dubai tennis championships

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has been forced to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to a virus. The Czech left-hander, who was to have been the number two seed at the $2 million tennis spectacular, was bitterly disappointed at having to miss out. “I am really sorry to have gotten sick prior to the start of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” she said. “I love playing in Dubai and am so disappointed to not be able to get on the plane and go and play for the fans and those amazing crowds. I will definitely be back next year and for many years to come.” Kvitova was one of the favourites to win the event after claiming an amazing six titles in 2011, adding the WTA Championships, Brisbane, Paris, Madrid and Linz to her stunning victory at Wimbledon.