A former top-ranked tennis player expressed her determination to compete at the highest level again after securing a hard-fought victory in the opening round of a major tournament. She battled back from a set down to defeat her opponent from Ukraine, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, marking her first triumph since the second round of a Grand Slam event in January.
This victory came after a disappointing first-round exit at another major tournament two weeks prior, which she described as the worst performance of her career. Following her latest win, she emphasized her eagerness to compete with the best but acknowledged that regaining top form is a process.
A four-time Grand Slam champion, she has taken multiple breaks from the sport to focus on her mental well-being and also stepped away for maternity leave. Since her last major title in 2021, she has not progressed beyond the third round in a major competition.
Reflecting on her performance, she admitted she was not at her best but focused on extending the match as long as possible, especially given her strong connection to the tournament location. She adjusted her approach after her previous struggles, opting to rely on her movement rather than over-hitting, committing to chasing every ball if necessary to stay in the match.