Tennis is a sport that takes a toll on both the body and mind. Players often go through hidden battles against injuries that threaten to end careers. The following ten athletes exemplify extraordinary resilience, overcoming career-threatening setbacks through multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, and unyielding mental fortitude to return to the pinnacle of the sport.
Let’s take a look at this story and find out about the ten most remarkable comebacks in tennis history.
Remarkable comebacks in tennis history
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Juan Martín del Potro
Argentina’s Juan Martín del Potro’s journey is one for the history books. After winning the 2009 US Open, del Potro faced a severe wrist injury, and he had to undergo roughly four surgeries (one on the right wrist in 2010 and three on the left between 2014-2015). His ranking saw a huge setback as he was outside the top 1,000 at points. Yet he rebuilt his game, notably adapting his backhand. He climbed back to World No. 3 in 2018, reached the US Open final that year (losing to Novak Djokovic), claimed Olympic silver in Rio 2016, and delivered memorable wins against the Big Three despite ongoing knee troubles later in his career.
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Andy Murray
Andy Murray’s career nearly ended following a hip injury. After years of struggling through immense pain, he underwent hip surgery in 2019. A surgery which everyone believed would end his career, but Murray had other plans. He reclaimed his place on the ATP Tour. Just months later, he triumphed at the 2019 European Open in Antwerp, showcasing the same grit that earned him three Grand Slams and Olympic gold.
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Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal’s legendary journey has been filled with multiple injuries. Nadal made his body habituated to playing through pain. However, chronic foot problems, notably Müller-Weiss syndrome, were diagnosed early in his career, along with knee tendinitis, abdominal issues, and other ailments, constantly threatening Nadal’s longevity. He missed significant time in his career while recovering but repeatedly returned stronger, winning multiple Grand Slams. His willingness to push physical boundaries, sometimes playing through numbed pain or injections, defined a career of 22 major titles before retirement.
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Roger Federer
Tennis icon Roger Federer underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in 2016 at the age of 34, after tearing his meniscus. Following a year-long absence filled with rehabilitation, he returned in 2017. In a stunning renaissance, the 35-year-old captured the Australian Open and Wimbledon, adding to his record 20 Grand Slam titles and proving age was no barrier after meticulous recovery.
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Serena Williams
Serena Williams is also part of the list as she faced complications after giving birth to her daughter Olympia via emergency C-section, which were life-threatening, involving blood clots, multiple surgeries, and a hematoma. Many wondered if she had reached the end of her career, but she returned to reach four major finals (Wimbledon and US Open in 2018 and 2019), battling formidable opponents while balancing motherhood. Her post-childbirth achievements remain a benchmark for athletic perseverance.
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Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi’s personal struggles, a wrist injury, and declining motivation saw his ranking fall to No. 141 in late 1997, which was his lowest in over a decade. He overhauled his fitness and lifestyle, embracing a new approach. The results were spectacular as he won the 1999 French Open (completing his career Grand Slam), reclaimed World No. 1, and secured further majors, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greatest comeback stories.
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Thomas Muster
In 1989, after reaching the Miami Open final, Thomas Muster was struck by a drunk driver, severely damaging ligaments in his left knee. Doctors feared he might never walk properly again. Using innovative training methods, including a specially designed brace, the Austrian mounted an incredible comeback. He dominated clay courts in the mid-1990s, culminating in the 1995 French Open title and earning the “King of Clay” moniker before Rafael Nadal.
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Petra Kvitová
In December 2016, the two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitová suffered deep lacerations to her dominant left hand during a home invasion and knife attack. Surgeons spent nearly four hours repairing tendons and nerves. Remarkably, Kvitová returned to competitive tennis within about five months. She climbed back to World No. 2, adding more titles and displaying remarkable courage both on and off the court.
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Monica Seles
Monica Seles suffered a deep back wound and profound psychological trauma following the on-court stabbing in Hamburg in 1993. Already a dominant force with multiple Grand Slams by age 19, she was sidelined for over two years. Her 1995 return was strong, and in 1996 she captured the Australian Open – her ninth major-proving her champion spirit endured despite the horrific attack.
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Kim Clijsters
After retiring in 2007 to start a family, Kim Clijsters faced injuries before motherhood. Her 2009 comeback was meteoric as she won the US Open as a wildcard in just her third tournament back, defeating top players including Venus and Serena Williams. She became the first mother to win a major since 1980, later reclaiming World No. 1 and adding more titles.
Also Read: Top 5 Most Shocking French Open Upsets Involving World No. 1
