What My Sports Injuries Taught Me About Resilience

As an elite tennis player, I've had my fair share of injuries over the years. From sprained ankles to torn ligaments, each injury has taught me something a thing or two about resilience and perseverance.

Setbacks are a part of the journey

There will always be bumps in the road. Always. And for those in sports, most of those bumps will be injuries. Eek.

But I've learnt to embrace 'em. Let's be real, life would be pretty easy aka boring without a few setbacks. Sure, you wanna be an Olympian. But if I handed your gold medal right now, it'd be underwhelming as heck. 

The blood, sweat and tears we face on the journey make the end result so much more rewarding. So, instead of dwelling on the negative, I've learned to focus on the things I can control – my attitude, my work ethic, and my commitment to getting back on the court.

Recovery is a process

Injuries take time to heal. It can be frazzling and frustraiting watching from the sidelines as your teammates and competitors continue to play. My dad told me once as I moped about, limping on my sprained ankle: "It's not about what happens to you, it's how you react to it that matters". 

That switched my mindset completely. Whilst injured, I learnt to stay patient. To keep focusing on small steps of progress. To stay inspired in other ways. To stay motivated. To not ever, ever get discouraged.

Your support system is everything

Not many people go far completely alone. Whether it's your coach, your family, or your teammates, having people who believe in you and support you makes all the difference. 

Surround yourself with people that keep you motivated, hold you accountable, and provide encouragement when you need it most.

The importance of taking care of my body

As athletes, we often push ourselves to the limit, but it's important to listen to your body and give it the rest and recovery it needs.

Taking care of yourself off the court – with proper nutrition, sleep, and recovery practices – can help prevent injuries and keep you performing at your best. Oh and, you'll feel bloody good inside and out!