Baltacha Is Glad Now She Did Not Retire

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 18th June 2013

Baltacha Is Glad Now She Did Not Retire

epa03202743 British player Elena Baltacha in action against Russia's Maria Kirilenko during their first round match of the Estoril Open 2012 tennis tournament at Jamor complex in Oeiras, Portugal, 01 May 2012. Kirilenko won 7-6(6) and 6-1. EPA/JOSE SENA GOULAO |

Elena Baltacha nearly retired after the 2012 Olympics due to chronic injuries. Now, the 29-year-old is pleased that she stuck with it and last weekend won the AEGON Nottingham Challenge, her first title since 2011.

The former British No.1 underwent foot surgery last year and got off to a slow start in 2013, but with her title run she has pushed her ranking back up to No. 185.

“It is quite amazing really,” she told AFP. “I’ve not played for nine months and I just feel it is my tournament. There is something about Nottingham, this is the third time I’ve won a title here and I’ve never lost a final. It is a very, very special place – it is magic for me to be honest. It means absolutely everything to me, I was pretty much bawling my eyes out. To think I actually nearly retired after the Olympics nearly a year ago. To then have ankle surgery, then go through rehab, I can’t believe how far I’ve come in such a short space of time. Having already scored two top-100 wins is incredible and now I’ve got this title.”

Baltacha has received wild cards into both Eastbourne and Wimbledon. At Eastbourne, fellow Britons Britain’s Laura Robson, Heather Watson and Johanna Konta will join her. Baltacha has only reached the third round of Wimbledon once, in 2002.

“I am going to with the best form I possibly can. I couldn’t have had a better week getting ready for it,” she said.