Karolina Pliskova, 33, is flying to Portugal to play her first tournament in 12 months, but admits her comeback is not set in stone after she sustained a back issue.
After struggling with consistency and her results throughout the entire 2024, the Czech tennis player beat Mayar Sherif in her opening US Open match. Two days later, the former world No. 1 gave a walkover to Jasmine Paolini and surgically repaired her left ankle injury.
Pliskova, who started to frequently struggle with injuries around the start of the 2022 season, opted for a lengthy recovery this time. And after not playing for more than a year, she signed up for next week's WTA 125 (Challenger) tournament in Caldas de Rainha.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pliskova: I'm going to Portugal, but I have some back problems...
"I'm going to Portugal at the end of the week. I hope nothing happens to me by then. I'm a little paranoid, but maybe not. I was supposed to play this week, but I have some back problems," the former world No. 1 said on the Rakety podcast.
If you can recall, Pliskova was still one of the best players in 2021. That year, the Czech made her second Grand Slam final at Wimbledon - in which she fell just short of becoming a Major champion after losing to Ashleigh Barty in three sets.
While the former world No. 1 was preparing for the 2022 season, she sustained a very unfortunate wrist injury at home. And after having surgery, she missed the first two months of 2022. Since then, the 17-time WTA winner hasn't had much luck or success.
ADVERTISEMENT
After turning 33 in March and not playing for a year, it will be all but easy for Pliskova to make a strong return. But for now, the key for the 33-year-old Czech is to play again and hope that her body holds up well. If that happens, that will already be a step in the positive direction.
