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Former world no. 9 Andrea Petkovic, of Germany, will be competing in the WTA Royal Indian Open in Pune next week. The event is part of the new $125,000 challenger events that launched by the WTA in a bid to take women’s tennis to more nations across the globe.
Petkovic is currently ranked no. 140 in the world after an injury-plagued season where she missed the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics. Just twelve months ago, Petkovic was ranked no. 9 in the world after a breakthrough season in which she reached the quarter finals at 3 of the 4 Grand Slams.
Petkovic suffered a lower back injury early in January, and thne rolled her ankle in her comeback event in Stuttgart in April forcing her to take more time off.
The German is known for her popular Petko-dance victory celebrations that have attracted a cult following among tennis fans. Since coming back from her latest injury in August, Petkovic won only 2 matches in her first 5 events but she reached the semi finals of her most recent WTA event in Luxembourg.
Other big names in the main draw include Kimiko Date-Krumm, Ayumi Morita and Donna Vekic. The event begins on November 5th in Pune.
