‘Wouldn’t Return to Professional Sports’ – Former Wimbledon Finalist Sabine Lisicki Credits Andy Murray and Alpine Ski Racer Lindsay Vonn for Her Seemingly Impossible Return to WTA Tour

While on the court, tennis players give their all to stand in the winner’s spot. However, their intense game often leads to players suffering injuries. On occasions, a serious one. Same was the case with Sabine Lisicki. In 2020, the German sensation suffered a major knee injury while competing at the Linz Open. On examinations, it was found out that she had suffered an ACL tear.

Being out of the tour for almost a year and a half, the former World No.12 finally made a comeback at the recently concluded Bad Homburg Open. Days after her return, she gave an interview with a German media house where she opened up about how Andy Murray and former Alpine ski racer Lindsay Vonn helped her in her seemingly impossible comeback.

Sabine Lisicki opens up about the help from Vonn

Going back in time, in 2013, Lindsay Vonn suffered a complete ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear. Upon further examination, it also came out that along with ACL, she had also damaged her Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) in her right knee. Going ahead, five years later, in 2018, she suffered an LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) tear.

Also read- ‘I Am Very Sorry’ – Matteo Berrettini Issues an Apology After His Post on Lebron James Causes a Stir

Having a similar story to Vonn, Sabine started by revealing how the two got in touch with each other. “Lindsey Vonn was a very important and inspiring person,” she said. “We didn’t know each other personally before, but she got in touch with me when I broke everything in my knee that can be broken,” she further added.

Going ahead, she elaborated on how Vonn played a major role in her comeback journey. Recalling the injuries of Vonn, Lisicki said, “She had a very serious knee injury herself, and when you have someone like that and you can ask for advice, that’s a great support.”

How Andy Murray inspired Lisicki to make her comeback

Similar to Vonn, Andy Murray also suffered a major injury that affected his career. While Vonn broke her knee, Murray had major issues on his hip. In 2018, Murray underwent arthroscopic hip surgery. However, as pain didn’t subside despite the surgery, in 2019, he underwent a second surgery. This time, hip resurfacing surgery.

Ever since the two surgeries, the British sensation hasn’t been able to regain his peak form. However, he is trying to improve his game with each passing day. He reached the finals of the 2022 Sydney Open and the 2022 Stuttgart Open.

Impressed by Murray’s constant urge to perform, Lisicki asserted, “He (Andy Murray) made it back with a [reconstructed] hip and is playing really good tennis again.” Going ahead, she further admitted, “My injury was also so bad that 99.9 percent of the time you wouldn’t return to professional sports, so Andy’s story is very inspiring.”

Watch this story- Will Smith Shows How King Richard Cast Trained Like Serena and Venus Williams

Analyzing the comeback journey of Lisicki, she walked back on the court in May this year, playing a handful of ITF tournaments. Later, she finally made a comeback to the WTA tour at the BETT1 Open. Failing to qualify for the main draw, she next played in Bad Homburg, reaching the quarterfinals. Improving with every tournament, she has reached the round of 32 at the Hamburg European Open.