Petra Kvitova has been forced to pull out of the Birmingham Classic but still hopes to be fit for Wimbledon.

The Czech star had to withdraw from the French Open due to an arm injury and the same issue will see her skip the grass-court event in Birmingham.

The two-time SW19 champion is hopeful she will be involved in the Grand Slam event although she won’t be able to compete in any warm-up matches on grass before heading to Wimbledon.

“Unfortunately, Birmingham is too soon, but I’m working really hard to get back as soon as possible and – of course – keeping everything crossed for Wimbledon,” she said Twitter.

Kvitova is the co-favourite at 7.00 to win Wimbledon outright alongside French Open winner Ashleigh Barty and Serena Williams. Naomi Osaka is 9.00 and Johanna Konta is 13.00 after her run through to the last four of the French Open.

World number three Karolina Pliskova has been added to the line-up for the Birmingham Classic and hopes she can claim the title after finishing as the runner-up four years ago.

“I’m very happy to be coming back to Birmingham because it has a fantastic line-up of players this year and the competition will be really strong,” said Pliskova.

“There is no better way to open my grass-court season. I have great memories of playing in the final there in 2015 and I’d love to go one better this time.”