Kvitova vying for No. 1 ranking at Roland Garros

Petra Kvitova is among five players vying to be No. 1 at the French Open, two years since just aiming to be back on the court again.

The 29-year-old made her return at Paris in 2017 following a knife attack in her Czech home that left her hand badly injured. She began this season by reaching the final of the Australian Open and getting back to No. 2 in the world, and then appeared in court to testify at the hearing of her attacker.

"For me, it's kind of like a miracle," she told press before play began at Paris. "When I was trying to come back and play on the higher level, I couldn't really imagine being one match from being No.1 in the world and playing for the title of [a] Slam.

"I couldn't really imagine myself playing in the final again. So for me I think it's kind of something I already proved myself."

Coming back to the French Open is an occasion for Kvitova to reflect on her comeback."I think for Paris I do have kind of different memories since two years, which was my first tournament to come back," she said.

She has had other chances to reach the top spot this season, but is still looking to get there for the first time.

It' would be another memorable achievement for the two-time Grand Slam champion, though she would have to win the tournament to do it at Paris. Kvitova would not call clay her favorite surface, but she has won some big events on it -- including Stuttgart this season -- and is a former French Open semifinalist.

"I have been in the semi-final here one year, so I'm not questioning myself," she said."Here I'm feeling good. It's important."

Kvitova is No. 5 in the rankings.