Spanish player Carla Suarez Navarro, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year, returned to the tennis court during the course of her treatment.
On Sunday, she shared a video on Instagram of her sparring with good friend and former French Open finalist Sara Errani. A few weeks earlier, the 32-year-old had put an inspiring post of her lifting weights while she is undergoing chemotherapy.
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In September this year, Suarez Navarro had revealed that she had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma — a form of cancer that originates in the lymph system, part of the body’s immune system.
Sunday funday!! 🎾🔊
Thanks for the practice @SaraErrani 😍 pic.twitter.com/OlyVl6m8IF— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) December 6, 2020
Friday workout! 💪🏻🏋🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/MkXIVsNznt
— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) November 6, 2020
She has to undergo six months of chemotherapy for it.
Though the Spanish player, who possesses one of the smartest one-handed backhands on the women’s tour, is only in her fourth month of treatment she is still remaining active by playing tennis, cycling and lifting weights.
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“It’s important that we remain active and optimistic. The body always appreciates it,” Suarez Navarro wrote on Instagram.
Welcome to the new era of the @WTA. I play for the game and something much bigger than myself. I play for the fight.
Bienvenidos a una nueva era de la @WTA. Juego por el deporte y por algo más grande que yo misma. Juego por la lucha.#WTAForTheGame pic.twitter.com/TXbFOrH2ni
— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) December 2, 2020
Suarez Navarro’s last competed at the Qatar Open in February. Though she returned to the tennis court on Sunday, it is unknown if she will continue to play the sport.
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Reportedly, the Spaniard was going to retire after the 2020 season even before she was diagnosed with cancer.
She also appeared in the promotional campaign of the recently rebranded WTA Tour.
