Almost five months after revealing her cancer diagnosis, Carla Suarez Navarro finished her final chemotherapy session and is now waiting for the evaluation, to learn whether the illness has disappeared or there are still some residues that need to be treated.
The 32-year-old Carla planned to retire in 2020, but life had other plans. Not only did the pandemic mess up the entire tennis season, but it was in the midst of it that the Spaniard discovered that she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. In a recent interview for La Razon, the WTA player kept open the possibility of saying goodbye on a tennis court, but obviously, she first has to see how her body will behave.
Physical activity is important in overall health and after a couple of months of absolute rest, the former world No.6 started working out and playing tennis with pressureless balls. The veteran showed us some of her gym sessions on social media, as well as tennis practices with friends Sara Errani and Garbine Muguruza.
It’s amazing how graceful and strong Carla has been in this difficult life situation. We could first notice that in her message from the hospital when she told the world about the illness, but also throughout her treatment process. Carla told La Razon that she cried only the first 15 minutes after hearing the diagnosis.
I am wishing Carla a complete recovery. Whether or not she’ll compete again is not important, as long as she is healthy.
Praying for complete recovery for Carla as well, Marija. She was one of the last female players to have a beautiful one-handed backhand.
Jim, from what I could conclude from her interviews, she’ll be cured, the prospects are positive. I don’t think she’ll compete again, though. She was ending her career anyway and I believe she’ll maybe play only symbolically, in order to finalize her career on a tennis court.
All the best for Carla!