Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic made his return to the ATP Tour following an injury to his left foot that almost prematurely put an end to his career. The 30-year-old player has not played on tour for 17 months after undergoing surgery twice to remove a benign tumour. The operations took away 80% of his sole. On his return Tipsarevic rescued two match points before beating Brazil's Guilherme Clezar in the US Clay Court Championship first round in Houston.
"I felt like this was a match I needed to win," Tipsarevic said. "I was ready, and I was fit. I had no confidence coming in, but saving match points with forehand winners down the line maybe proved otherwise. I really felt I had to win this match, and I would have been really sad otherwise." Tipsarevic won the match after two hours and 38 minutes, 6-4 3-6 7-6 (9-7).
"I'm in pain everywhere, but the foot is good," he added. "I can tell you that we take the muscles in our feet completely for granted." Tipsarevic knows that a third operation on his injured foot will inevitably lead to retirement. "My life would not be in danger," he said. "But I could not play tennis again. Basically the second surgery took away about 80 percent of my sole. That's why it took so long to return."
Tipsarevic is 28/1 at Bet365 to win the Houston tournament while Fernando Verdasco is the favourite at 7/2.
mdacic 8 years ago
Janko Tipsarevic is great player, he is from my country and I wish him all luck in future. I think that he can be very good despite this injury and I expect to see Janko playing in finals of big tournaments because he deserve it and I expect to see him again to play for Serbia in davis cup along with Novak Djokovic :)
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timidi 8 years ago
It is great to see that one great player and sportsman is back on court. He is in late years for tennis and I think that this return is a miracle. I will support him in every tournaments where he participate. He won this match but lost in next round but I think that he can be better and better and I think that he will have...
It is great to see that one great player and sportsman is back on court. He is in late years for tennis and I think that this return is a miracle. I will support him in every tournaments where he participate. He won this match but lost in next round but I think that he can be better and better and I think that he will have a lot of wins in future.
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sharpe 8 years ago
I almost forgot his name, he desapears in the last couple of years. But it's great to hear now that such a talanteted tennis player like Janko Tipsarevic is back on the court and not only that but his returning is a successful one and begin with a victory.Hopefully he will be able to play at highest level once again but...
I almost forgot his name, he desapears in the last couple of years. But it's great to hear now that such a talanteted tennis player like Janko Tipsarevic is back on the court and not only that but his returning is a successful one and begin with a victory.Hopefully he will be able to play at highest level once again but it will be very tough because of the long absence.
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Markotik 8 years ago
I have to say I wasn't aware just how serious that injury was. But then I read his interview and I was extremely glad he went through it and that he was able to recover. Well, he has a few more years in front of him to play good tennis for sure, so I hope he can get back to Top 10, where I think he belongs. He is such an...
I have to say I wasn't aware just how serious that injury was. But then I read his interview and I was extremely glad he went through it and that he was able to recover. Well, he has a few more years in front of him to play good tennis for sure, so I hope he can get back to Top 10, where I think he belongs. He is such an interesting player to watch, extremely talented. I wish him the best of luck.
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seculla 8 years ago
I'm very happy for Janko Tipsarevic. He is the second best Serbian tennis player, just after Novak Djokovic. It was bad news for him when he suffered that injury to his left foot but now all bad things are over and he can finally get back on tennis courts and resume with his fine career. Despite he is 30 years old, I believe...
I'm very happy for Janko Tipsarevic. He is the second best Serbian tennis player, just after Novak Djokovic. It was bad news for him when he suffered that injury to his left foot but now all bad things are over and he can finally get back on tennis courts and resume with his fine career. Despite he is 30 years old, I believe that he still can play tennis, and also have a good results. Good luck Janko.
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