Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the former French Open runner-up, made a triumphant return to Roland Garros with a commanding victory over Czech player Linda Fruhvirtova on Monday. The Russian tennis star revealed that just a year ago, she had feared for her career due to a knee problem that forced her to miss last year’s edition of the tournament and the second half of the season.

After reaching the final of the 2021 French Open, where she ultimately lost to Barbora Krejcikova, Pavlyuchenkova took a break from the sport to focus on healing her injury and undergoing extensive rehabilitation. The prolonged period of recovery led to a significant decline in her physical fitness, as she was unable to engage in any substantial physical activity during that time. Enhance your tennis viewing experience with attractive betting odds from Nextbet Sports.

Reflecting on her challenging journey, Pavlyuchenkova shared her emotional rollercoaster, saying, “It was a rollercoaster of emotions because I was sad. I was close to crying, but also sad because I wasn’t sure what comes after.” The doubts she faced were numerous, including concerns about never making a successful comeback, never winning another match, or regaining her former level of fitness.

However, the determined athlete made a firm decision to continue her career despite the uncertainties. She knew that if she wanted to make a comeback, it would require intense effort and dedication. Recalling the physical state she was in during her injury, Pavlyuchenkova revealed, “I barely could jog, walk, or sit down. It was painful all the time. So that was definitely not a knee for a professional athlete. I had to make that decision. I had to go for it.”

Currently ranked 333rd in the world, a significant drop from her career-high ranking of 11, Pavlyuchenkova has been steadily regaining her form. Prior to the French Open, she demonstrated her progress with notable wins in Madrid and Rome, followed by a quarter-final run in Strasbourg.

Approaching her first-round match against Linda Fruhvirtova, Pavlyuchenkova was determined to avoid an early exit and stay in the tournament. She maintained a laser focus, fully aware of the importance of showcasing her abilities and returning to her winning ways. “I just said to myself, ‘OK, look, if I want to be back to my good form and winning, I have to work and show that, OK, I’m there,'” she emphasized.

The Russian player’s motivation to stay in the tournament was also fueled by her deep connection to Roland Garros. She described the venue as a “very special place” and expressed her desire to prolong her stay and make the most of the opportunity.

With her impressive victory in the opening round, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has demonstrated her resilience and determination to reclaim her spot among the top players. As the tournament progresses, tennis fans eagerly anticipate witnessing her journey and whether she can recapture the form that led her to the final just a year ago. Follow all the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.