As you probably know I am injured at the moment with my shoulder, so I am at home doing rehab. I have had this injury on and off for four years. This time it got really bad and I just couldnt and didnt want to play anymore matches with pain. It took a while to know what it was but I have a great doctor and physio and they are doing an excellent job. I have seen big improvments in the last two weeks. I have looked at this injury different as I have on others before. It's the first time in my career that I am out for this long, but still I am positive and just trying to take out the positives from this injury, whereas before I always got angry at my injuries. I have learned that this attitude doesnt help me get better any quicker.

This break gives me some time for the body to relax and for my mind to think about my tennis. It also gives me the chance to see all my family and friends for a bit and do things I have never done before. Yesterday I ran a 15k race. It was a great experence and even though I thought I was never gonna do a run ever again during the race when I was struggling:) but the after feeling was so unbelievable that I think I will run for sure in another one. Also next time I will know that I will have to start slower and not try to follow the Kenyans and so be dead after 6k. My uncle, who does a lot of these races and told me before the race '' dont go too fast at the start, it's a commen mistake when you start doing these long distance races!'' but I was like yeah of course you are 40, I am fit!


Also it was difficult to run slow because there were so many people at the start passing me with ease and I was like ''no way''!!! I thought the same after 6k but couldnt react because my legs felt like 100kg and my stomach was aching! Its incredible how many thought I had while I was running, especially when men with loud breathes and older women started to pass me. I thought how slow must I be running. Now I know I was doing well, that these are people who run since ages everyday. It was the first time for me that I ran for that long, even though I am very fit for tennis but in tennis you need diffrent muscles as you also need to be fast and you always stop and go. I knew from the physical block in February that I would get to a point where I would want to quit but if I would just keep running then I would get into a flow. So I said to myself '' I dont want to think one more negative thought, just run and give your best!'' (sounds familiar to tennis and life?:-)) I finished in 1h 14min and my goal was to get in under 1h 30min. It was a great feeling when I finished even though I almost couldnt stand on my legs and at this moment as I am write this blog, you cant even imagine how sore my legs are!:-)

I am happy I did the race, it was a great experence plus a good mental test. It's funny how everything I need to improve on the tennis court I actually can practice it everyday off court. This break I am working really hard so when I will get back I will be where I want to be mentally.

My first tournament will be in Shrewsberry a 75k. From tomorrow on I will start to do a physical block, because I can work with my legs while with my upper body I am still in physio for three more weeks and then hopefully this problem will be resolved and I will be strong and painfree.

Keep checking out for more blogs in the next three weeks because I got an unbelievable birthday present from my brother and I will tell you about it when I have done it!



Comment from David Sammel, Director of coaching MCTA “Well done to Stefi. It is encouraging to see how positively and useful Stefi is using her time off through injury and I’m convinced she will come back a better, stronger and smarter player.”