I would have liked to start this article about my return to the circuit on an optimistic note, that is, a few matches without any pain, happy to be playing, finally, without struggling.

But I’m starting it right after I had to make the decision to pull out of the first ITF tournament I was going to play after the injury and I’ve already booked my flight home.

Maybe it’s not exactly the right moment for a new article, bad news is never welcomed, but writing helps me in sad moments.

After the two-week break, I slowly started the mobility and muscle-strengthening exercises, then I resumed tennis at the net. A few more days went by and I was playing without pain – what a nice feeling! – from the bottom line of the court. After another week I was able to do the first full training.

I decided to restart with a national tournament in Germany, where the competition was announced to be easier and I had been invited by the club I’m playing for. I had included these few matches in my schedule in order to get in form.

After some good training,  the day of the first match came.
Again, the same pleasant feeling, but this time I felt a change for the better. I had more patience, I could stay in the points, however it took, without rushing.
I loved being there again, connected to the game. I saw the court better and varied my shots more often. I had more courage and was not interested in the importance of the tournament, nor the ranking of the opponent. I only cared about my tennis and the construction of points.

First match, first win. But immediately I felt a little discomfort in my wrist again (the balls they play with in Germany are heavy). I continued my stretching and recovery routine to prepare for the next day, when I was scheduled against a young player, but with the will to fight.

I played that match with the same discomfort and in slow conditions after it had just rained that day. I got my second win, but my wrist was starting to bother me more and more.

I decided to withdraw from the third match, which was also to be played on Friday, in two hours.

A decision that I took with a heavy heart. I can play even with great pain, but now this would have been wrong, because it could lead to even more serious injuries.

The plan was to take two days off and go to the ITF W25 tournament in Horb, but this morning I woke up with a swollen wrist, a new prove that things rarely turn out as planned.

I’ll keep you posted with the ongoing of my tendinitis.