Lehecka and a triumphant return after more than three months out due to injury

Mónica Barberán Munera | 14 Aug 2024 | 13.38

Jiri Lehecka at the Mutua Madrid Open 2024. Photo: getty

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One of the most anticipated comebacks in the ATP Cincinnati has been that of Jiri Lehecka, without a doubt. The Czech had been out of action for over three months due to a back injury that forced him to withdraw from the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open. Lehecka was experiencing one of the best progressions in a tournament until physical issues disrupted his plans. However, he has finally been able to return to where he belongs and see the light at the end of the tunnel with his first victory since May against Mariano Navone. Since being diagnosed with a stress injury in a vertebra, the Czech has gone through really tough times, reaching the point where he couldn't even pick up a racket until early July.

His comeback couldn't have gone better, but now he faces a huge challenge, perhaps too soon. Daniil Medvedev will be his next opponent, but the priority for the Czech is to feel healthy; the rest will follow. “It was an incredible feeling. The most important thing was to feel good again and not feel any pain, something that happened today. I had no pain. I felt good physically on the court, which was the most important thing for me, and winning was just a bonus,” he told the ATP after winning in his debut.

- He had been struggling with back problems for some time

“I had back problems since the beginning of the clay season. So basically, it was getting worse throughout the Madrid tournament. I thought I was fine because I withdrew from Monaco and Barcelona those two weeks. I didn't play at all, just did some rehab. All indications and scans showed that my back was fine and ready to play. I felt good, but during my first match in Madrid, I started to feel pain in that area. It got worse throughout the tournament and, unfortunately, it ended in my semifinal match against Félix”.

- It was difficult not being able to move for so long

“This kind of injury is so serious that you can't do anything, just lie down and walk a bit. You can't make the normal movements you're used to. Having a racket in hand was not an option for me, nor going for a run or to the gym. I couldn't do all those things, so it wasn't easy for me. Not mentally either because I am a very active person. I enjoy my time doing some activities, practicing other sports, and such. So it wasn't easy, but I managed to overcome it”.

- He couldn't let his guard down; the possibility of aggravating the injury was there even if he wasn't constantly in pain

“In my normal life outside of the tennis court, I could do whatever I wanted. I always said: ‘guys, I can go to the gym, I can go for a run, I don't feel any pain’. And everyone told me: ‘no, you can't do it’. What the doctors told me was: ‘be careful, this injury is tricky in the sense that you will feel like nothing is happening, but at the same time, you need to give it a lot of time to recover properly and to rest the area”.

- Words from Tomas Berdych, a member of his team

“He told me: 'don't rush, you'll have a lot of tennis very soon. So make room for it in your mind. Don't stress about tennis when you're off the court'”.

- His main goal

“For me, the most important thing now is to feel better every day, feel good on the court, and gain confidence for all these matches ahead. That is my goal, and of course, to be healthy and play without pain, that's the number one goal. Then, we'll see”.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Lehecka y un regreso triunfante tras más de tres meses fuera por lesión

ATP