“I don’t have big expectations”: Former world No. 1 prepares comeback after 17-month absence

Former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova is preparing for a return that feels markedly different from any previous comeback attempt in her career. At 33, the former Wimbledon runner-up is no longer driven by rankings or titles, but by a far more basic question: whether her body will allow her to compete again without pain. After nearly two years defined by injuries, surgeries, and failed restarts, her upcoming trip to Australia represents cautious hope rather than expectation.

The Czech star has played just three WTA matches since September 2024, an extraordinary statistic for a player who once built her career on consistency. Her prolonged absence stems from a serious left ankle injury sustained at the US Open last year against Jasmine Paolini, an incident that forced surgery and derailed her season completely. A second operation in May only deepened the uncertainty surrounding her future on tour.

During her first attempt to return last autumn, Pliskova admitted she pushed herself too quickly. Competing at smaller tournaments in Portugal and Turkey, she struggled physically and mentally, failing to find rhythm or relief. “Is it worth it?” she recalled in an interview with Sport CZ. “I was already thinking that I might not return to Grand Slams. Everything hurt — my leg, my back, my arm. I questioned whether continuing even made sense.”

That moment of doubt ultimately led to a reset. Instead of forcing another rushed comeback, Pliskova stepped away, restructured her training, and allowed herself time — something she had rarely done throughout her career. “I gave myself space and distance and started training differently,” she explained. “That’s why I told myself I still wanted to try again at the beginning of this year.”

Australia now marks a symbolic restart, even if Pliskova is careful to downplay its importance. She missed the entire Australian swing last year, and the absence still resonates. “I’m even more motivated because I wasn’t in Australia last year,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll go back there after my career ends, but I don’t have big expectations.” It is a measured outlook that contrasts sharply with her mindset during her peak years.

Her honesty extends to acknowledging past mistakes. “I started too early in the autumn,” Pliskova admitted. “My leg wasn’t ready, nor was my body. My back also took its toll very quickly.” This time, the approach has been slower and more deliberate. She spent all of December training without major physical issues, a small but meaningful milestone after months of recurring pain.

Still, she refuses to romanticise the process. “Matches are another thing, and I miss them a lot,” she said. “I don’t want to get my hopes up. We’ll see what my body does. But I think I’m ready.” For Pliskova, readiness no longer means contending for titles, but simply being able to withstand the physical demands of professional tennis again.

Encouragement has come quietly through practice rather than results. Pliskova tested herself against a range of opponents, including Ekaterina Alexandrova, Mia Pohankova, Nikola Bartunkova, and Katerina Siniakova. “Almost all the sparring sessions went well, which was a pleasant surprise,” she said. “Normally I used to lose sparrings, but this time it wasn’t so bad.”

The contrast with her previous comeback attempt is stark. “When I came back in autumn, I played everything like a madwoman, without winning a single set,” Pliskova admitted. “So now I feel better with this comparison.” While practice sessions offer no guarantees, they have at least restored a sense of competitiveness she feared she had lost.

Her goals, however, remain deliberately modest. “Now I have very small objectives,” she explained. “I don’t want to say I’m going to participate or set expectations. I don’t want to put pressure on myself.” For now, success is defined simply. “Playing without pain and finishing matches will be enough.”

That shift has not been easy for someone who spent over a decade inside the Top 30. “Once you’ve been at the top, it’s difficult to set the goal of winning just one round,” Pliskova admitted. Yet she understands the reality of her situation. “I want to be cautious. I know how hard it is to recover after an injury like this.”

Ultimately, her priority is clarity rather than ambition. “I don’t want to worry about anything,” she said. “If I’m not physically okay, it doesn’t make sense for me. I only want to play if I can do it without pain and actually enjoy it.” Whether this return leads to one final chapter or a quiet farewell remains unknown — but for Karolina Pliskova, listening to her body now matters more than any result.