The tennis player who came back from hell twice: “I have been asking for health since I was 18 years old.”

In 2021, when she was only 15 years old, Ariana Geerlings (Granada, 2005) tore the ligaments in her left knee in the middle of a match. Four years later, in the summer of 2025, she suffered the same injury, this time in her right knee. It is almost impossible to find a medical history of this caliber within the world of tennis, but the real miracle is that the Spanish tennis player not only managed to return to the courts but is also at her best moment today.

Logic suggests that after twelve months without competing, a return should be tough. However, since her comeback last July, Geerlings has accumulated four titles (and one final) in the nine tournaments she has participated in. The latest, just last week in Mallorca, we saw her lift her first WTA title, making a significant jump in the ranking that places her just a step away from the top 300. She is young, hungry, and the pain has made her even stronger. Her story deserved to be told by her own in this interview.

How do you celebrate a first WTA title?

I wish I had celebrated it differently, but no. I finished playing, we had the award ceremony, took some photos, and quickly started booking flights and packing bags. Having my people at the match and experiencing that little celebration afterward on the court is enough for me.

Now that a few hours have passed, have you assimilated what you've accomplished in Mallorca?

I had never stopped to think: what does it feel like to win a WTA? I always imagined something much greater, but I admit it feels strange to assimilate it now. It feels like just another title, although it's very special for being the first WTA, but the feeling is similar to when I’ve won other ITFs. They were showing me videos with images from yesterday, and it's strange, I got goosebumps, but I try to live it like just another tournament so I can start looking forward.

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You came from winning several tournaments months ago, but here you did it without losing a set all week.

I wasn't aware that I hadn't lost a set in the tournament until my coach told me yesterday. It's true that I arrived in Mallorca with a lot of time because the previous week I lost in the first round, so I saw it as an opportunity to prepare better. From the first day, I felt very comfortable; I liked the conditions, I liked the ball, it was like I adapted very well to the situation.

In seven days, you’ve gone from #500 in the ranking to #300. Not bad.

It's funny because I had a protected ranking at #293, and in the end, I’m going to be without using it much because I'm almost at the same ranking (laughs). Beyond the positions, what's best for me is to be healthy and competing; this is the best reward.

And all this after having been out for an entire year (August 2025 - July 2026) due to an ACL injury. The same injury you had at 15, again at 19. Do you remember how the fall was?

This time it was different, although the sensation in the knee was similar to the first time. My foot slipped, I fell, and I started crying. From the moment I fell, I suspected what it might be, although I hoped it was something else. The physiotherapist at the tournament told me that it was most likely the ACL, but I experienced it a bit differently. The first time it happened to me when I was very young; I was innocent, had no idea of the seriousness of the injury; let’s say it was all new. Now I was a bit more prepared because I already knew what was coming.

It’s a very unusual injury in the world of tennis. Having happened to you twice, does it mean something?

When I first tore my knee, they told me I was very lax, even warned me that there was a possibility I might tear the other one at some point. Of course, you don't think about that afterward, plus it's something you can't prevent; it's not in my hands. In fact, I went to the same specialist, the same person operated on me as with the other knee.

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And the recovery? Same timelines as the other time?

A month and a half until my surgery. I didn’t compete again until ten months after the operation.

That's tough.

[...] I would say this one has been tougher than the first because you know all that it entails, the time, the recovery, the pain, the surgery... it feels overwhelming if you think about it. The situation was different because this time I was at home, surrounded by my people, but at first, it was a bit more uphill.

Were you afraid to return to the court?

There’s a lot of work behind it, both physically in the gym and mentally. At first, I wasn't running for drop shots, but gradually, I gained confidence, ran a bit better, but a lot of work is needed off the court.

Let's cross our fingers that there won’t be a third.

They say that the knee is not completely recovered until two years pass, but I feel fine, and that’s what matters.

Since you returned in July, you have played nine tournaments: four titles and one final. Do you feel like a renewed player?

I am very different from how I was a year ago, both in tennis and mentally. The way I train and compete has changed. An injury like that teaches you to appreciate each moment more, to prioritize what truly matters, and to enjoy the journey more. The big change has happened off the court, but this later reflects on the court.

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Do you have the same team or has anyone new joined?

My coach (José Francisco Vidal) and my physiotherapist (Raquel Hernández) are the same, but when I was injured, I started working with a psychologist (Alba Carrillo) and I have worked with her all year. There is also another person who approached me (Guillermo García Legaz) and told me he had followed my entire story and wanted to help me with sponsorship issues. To this day, he still helps me a lot with that, so I’m very happy.

Three years ago you told me that 65% of a tennis player's success lay in the mental aspect. Do you still maintain that percentage?

In my case, it's much more than 65%. The mental aspect right now is one of the most important factors in any high-performance sport. There are many things you have to deal with; if you’re calm, it helps a lot.

By the way, are you from Granada or Murcia? There’s a fuss on Twitter trying to claim your successes.

(Laughs) Well, I’m from Granada because I was born there and lived there a lot, but it’s true that I’ve been in Murcia for a while. I feel a bit from both places. For example, last week I played in Seville, and I felt at home... but this week I played in Mallorca, and it was the same, so I don’t know (laughs).

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In 2023, you dreamed of being #1 and winning Grand Slams. Is the dream still alive, or have you reached a point where you see it as impossible?

It hasn't happened yet, and I don’t know if it ever will. My dream is still that; it doesn't matter that I've been out for another year; I will always dream big. It’s true that now I see everything with a bit more perspective; I enjoy the process more, but I want to maintain that dream until the end.

Would you say you're satisfied with how things are going for you?

I’m very happy; I wouldn’t say satisfied. I’m happy to be healthy and competing, to be doing what I love most again.

Do you think 2027 could be your breakout year? Do you look up to any particular player?

I don’t focus on anyone in particular; I concentrate on my day-to-day, improving each week and accumulating matches. In the end, the result only comes if you do things right. After being out for a year, I no longer think much about the ranking or those kinds of numbers; I listen to my body and let whatever needs to happen happen.

I see you asking for health every time you blow out the candles.

People usually start asking for health a bit earlier, but I’ve been asking for this since I was 18 (laughs).

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La tenista que volvió dos veces del infierno: “Llevo pidiendo salud desde que tengo 18 años”