In just over a week a familiar face will be returning to the WTA Tour for the first time in over a decade after unexpectedly announcing her comeback last month.
Tatiana Golovin, who has been ranked as high as 12th in the world, has been handed a wild card for the upcoming Luxembourg Open. A WTA International tournament with a prize money pool of $250,000. Golovin has been handed a pass to participate in the qualifying draw. Making it the first time she will play a professional event since her loss to Caroline Wozniacki at the 2008 Germany Open.
“The idea first took shape last year, but I started taking it more seriously since this summer,” Golovin said in an interview with BeIN Sports last month. “I began very serious physical training last month. The goal was to be ready for the start of next year, but things are moving quickly, and as of today, I’m planning to perhaps resume in mid-October.”
Russian-born Golovin was a forced to walk away from the sport at the age of 20 after establishing herself as a rising star of the game. She was named the WTA Newcomer of the year back in 2004. However, her chronic back pain was eventually diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis and halted her career. A condition where the spine and other areas of the body can get inflamed. Her retirement came a year after she won two WTA titles in Amelia Island and Portoroz.
The 31-year-old has also enjoyed moderate success in the grand slams. Winning the 2004 French Open mixed doubles title with Richard Gasquet and reaching the quarter-finals of the 2006 US Open women’s draw.
“I stopped because my body could no longer handle the requirements of high-level sport due to my injury. In the last 18 months, I have been asked on several occasions to talk about it, and in speaking with doctors, I learned that there were treatments that could possibly allow me to come back.” She explained.
The return of the French player follows news of Kim Clijsters’ decision to return to the tour during the early past of 2020. Somebody who Golovin lost to twice on the tour. Although she states that she has ‘nothing to prove to anyone’ and has been contemplating a return over the past year.
