Former world No.1 doubles player Bethanie Mattek-Sands will return to the tour in March for the first time since sustaining a serious knee injury.
The 32-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match since injuring her knee at the Wimbledon Championships last July. During her second round singles match, the American slipped on the surface. Dislocating her right patella and ruptured a patella tendon, which required surgery to correct.
Mattek-Sands is set to return to action at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells alongside doubles partner Lucie Safarova. The duo have won five grand slam titles together since 2015 with the most recent occurring at last year’s French Open.
“We’re getting the band back together!” Mattek-Sands told wtatennis.com. “I’m excited for my first tournament back. It’s weird to think I haven’t played in seven months. As much as I like to train and practice, I like matches. That’s why we’re out here. But Lucie’s ready to go, and we’re planning to play Miami and Charleston after that. Some of my favourite tournaments are in this swing, and it was a goal to be ready for these events.”
During her absence from the tour, the American has kept herself busy by working for both ESPN and The Tennis channel. Covering an array of tournaments, including the US Open.
Mattek-Sands, who is currently ranked 23rd in the doubles, is set to play a trio of tournaments with Safarova as part of her comeback. After Indian Wells, she will then play Miami and Charleston. At Charleston they are the reigning champions. It is unknown as to what her intentions are concerning the singles.
The BNP Paribas Open will get underway on March 5th.
“We’re getting the band back together!”
Team Bucie is back as @BMATTEK will return to the @WTA by pairing with @luciesafarova in Indian Wells, Miami and Charleston!
Follow the Americans: https://t.co/nKNubNNHyx #USTennis pic.twitter.com/6iJ8hbn5ci
— USTA (@usta) 13 February 2018
