Prague (AFP)
The Czech tennis federation announced Sunday the organization of a tournament in Prague from May 26 to 28 bringing together most of the best players in the country, including double Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and probably the world number 3 Karolina Pliskova .
"This is the first competition prepared by the Czech Tennis Federation for players at a time when they cannot travel due to the pandemic," said tournament spokesman Karel Tejkal in a statement.
"Eight players will play hard and eight players on clay," said tournament director David Trunda.
The plateau will be higher for women, since Czech players are better ranked than their male counterparts.
Besides Kvitova, now 12th in the world, Karolina Muchova (26th) and Barbora Strycova (31st) are announced.
Karolina Pliskova and her twin sister Kristyna (69th) should also participate "if they are in good health," said the head of the Czech federation, Ivo Kaderka.
"I can't wait to play a tournament after such a long break," said Kvitova.
"I am really curious to see how we will be after this period without tournaments," she added.
According to Ivo Kaderka, the proceeds from the tournament will be used to finance the fight against Covid-19 which killed 270 people in the Czech Republic.
World tennis has been at a standstill since early March and until at least mid-July, due to the pandemic.
© 2020 AFP