One Of The World's Best Tennis Players Carla Suarez Successfully Fights Cancer And Returns To The French Open

Carla Suarez (Reuters via Antara)

JAKARTA - Former world number six Carla Suarez Navarro has confirmed her participation at the French Open, which will begin Sunday, May 30, a month after she said she had recovered from cancer.

The 32-year-old Spaniard said in September 2020 that he was diagnosed with early stage Hodgkin's lymphoma and had to undergo six months of chemotherapy.

"It makes me very excited to be able to participate at Roland Garros," he told the Spanish tennis federation's website quoted by Reuters on Wednesday, May 26.

"I've been working for the last few months to give myself a chance to compete for the last time in Paris.

"I can't wait to jump on the court and feel again how special this tournament is for me."

Suarez Navarro, who is currently ranked 118th in the world, returned to training in December and last month said he had completed his treatment and was recovering.

He had already said at the end of 2019 that he intended to quit by the end of 2020 but now wants to continue playing after his final season was plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic and health problems.

The two-time French Open quarter-finalist, known as one of the best backhand players on the women's circuit, had planned to compete at last year's US Open but withdrew a week before the Grand Slam began.

He revealed his diagnosis a week later, mention that the doctor told him that he had a small lymphoma that could be cured because it was detected from an early stage.

"Tennis has given me a lot of things and I've always wanted to say goodbye on the court," he said.

"Roland Garros has given me some of the best moments of my career. My first good result was produced on this field, I have very good memories after all these years and it is a joy to be able to come for the last time to compete in Paris.

"It will be a very beautiful day and I hope to enjoy it to the fullest."