Alisa Kleybanova hasn’t played tennis since May and on the day of the celebration of her 22nd birthday she decided to write a public letter revealing a serious health problem that has kept her off the courts for the long time. The young WTA star has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer, and is currently being treated in Perugia, one of the best places in Italy specialized in that problem.
The Russian is going through the most difficult time in her life, but she is sure she will be able to defeat the cancer. However, when talking about her return to tennis she was not absolutely certain: “There’s a chance that I’ll be able to play tennis again.” A lot of effort and patience will surly be necessary.
The last tournament Kleybanova played was Rome, where she lost in the second round to Shahar Peer. At that time Kleybanova was ranked 26th, now she’s not much lower, at No.28. The two WTA titles she won (Kuala Lumpur and Seoul) came last year.
Alisa, Women’s Tennis Blog wishes you peaceful and full recovery. (photo: Stephane Martinache)
Marija, I answer you here, so I’m in topic… Really a sad news, I’ve seen her play this year in Rome, I was sitting next to her corner, where she has come to cheer after the match and all that touches me even more because I have a sense of how she’s a girl like us, real and vulnerable, I really hope she can heal 100% and she can return to play!
Francesca, it’s so unfortunate, she’s so young and her career has just started blooming. I really hope she will recover 100% and continue her tennis where she left it.