Monica still intends to return to top-level tennis, despite not
having played on the tour since the French Open 2003 due to the
stress-fracture in her left foot, and previously stating that she
would probably retire if she were not ready to play by January 2005.

"The injury is coming along very well. I have been in training for
the last six months, and am nearly fully recovered. It's very
frustrating because you feel capable of returning but your body
won't allow you to. The most difficult thing is knowing how to
handle the setbacks on the way.

"My intention is to return, that's why I'm continuing to train, but
I have learnt you have to take things as they come. I don't want to
have false hopes or rush myself. I want to come back at a good level
and, right now, I don't feel capable of taking on the girls out
there. If in the end I can't do it, I will have had a marvellous
career and will be happy remembering it.

"Tennis is a sport with a short lifespan which takes up every day of
your life. If you don't like or enjoy it, you don't have to put up
with it. Your best years are normally between the age of 18 to 25 as
we have seen throughout the generations, but there are exceptions -
like Martina Navrátilová.

"My future is in tennis, without a doubt. I want to work with
children, and that is something I am already doing in America. They
are the future of the sport and tennis has given me so much. Every
day I remember how lucky I have been, and I believe it is my
responsibility to give something back after everything tennis has
given me."

More Monica news & photos:
http://www.wtatour.com/newsroom/stories/NewsArticle_6699_rx.asp
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=161279
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=161443


Tom Haegemans wrote:
>
> Guys, haven't heard of you in a long time. What are your thoughs
> on this sentence:
>
> "If in the end I can't do it, I will have had a marvellous career
> and will be happy remembering it."
>
> Will she return or is it just a smooth way to say: it's been
> nice... let's call it a day?

I really don't think Monica knows at this stage. She certainly
hasn't given up yet, but it's a very tall order to come back and do
herself justice after two years away from the tour, even though she
did the same ten years ago. But the women's game is so much more
physically demanding these days - if Monica tries to come back not
fully recovered, she could well reinjure herself very quickly. But
Monica has certainly worked miracles in the past, and I'm not going
to give up on her career until she herself does.

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/seles/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selesians/