Sabine Lisicki overwhelmed by comeback after long injury break: “I cried on the pitch”

Because: “Everything was really torn and broken for me, cruciate ligament, inner ligament, outer ligament, meniscus. Others ended their careers with an injury,” explained the 32-year-old from Troisdorf. The day after the operation 18 months ago, she already knew how difficult the task ahead of her was. “It will be a long and very difficult way back,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.

But from the start Lisicki had the dream of “coming back and being able to play tournaments.” A dream that came true this week in the United States.

“It was an extremely hard and very, very long way. I admit that. The past 18 months were definitely the hardest in my career,” admitted the former number twelve in the world rankings, who “greatly valued” her comeback in Bonita Springs. added: “This moment, this match was like a reward, like a gift for me.”

Lisicki “surprised by the response”

The right-hander described her return to the competitive stage as an emotional “roller coaster”. “You never forget how a match feels. But I have to say that I was very surprised by the emotions. I was very nervous at first,” admitted the 32-year-old, who celebrated the last of her four tournament wins in Hong Kong in 2014.

What she hadn’t expected either: in the social media, the German unfolded after her comeback with congratulations and messages.

“I was totally surprised by this response,” she admitted and explained: “I didn’t announce anything on the social media channels, didn’t mention anything. I just wanted to play freely. That many people then noticed, I didn’t do that counted. I also received a lot of messages. That touched me.”

Lisicki dreams of taking part in Berlin

The fact that she then failed in the second round against the Romanian Gabriela Lee (2: 6, 2: 6) did not dampen the joy of her return. The focus remains on health. Lisicki described it as “encouraging” that she was able to play the match against the 26-year-old without any physical problems.

With the comeback after her horror injury, she also wanted to set an example never to give up – especially in times like these. “I also want to inspire people not to give up and get up again. We’ve all had a difficult time in recent years, also with Corona and all the consequences. It was all the more important for me to keep at it and work my way up again,” she explained Troisdorfer.

Now Lisicki is back. On the way back to major tournaments, Lisicki, who is currently not listed in the world rankings, gives herself the time she needs: “Tennis player Sabine Lisicki is back. But it will take a while before I get to a higher level . I’m looking forward to what’s to come now.” Maybe even in Germany? “That would mean the world to me,” said Lisicki about a wildcard participation in the lawn tournament in Berlin. She has already asked.