Petra Vlhová in doubt: Can she ever ski again?

Petra Vlhová in doubt: Can she ever ski again?

In January 2024, a serious accident occurred for the Slovak ski icon Petra Vlhova during their home race in Jasna. The fall led to a torn cruciate and medial ligament in her right knee, which not only pushed her sporting career into the background, but also had serious physical and psychological effects on her life.

Since this incident, the 2022 Olympic champion has not competed in a race. During an interview with Radio Slovensko Vlhova, that she is in a deep phase of crisis in which she feels like she has “no life left” – she can neither walk, cycle nor ski. Even with minimal stress, she suffers from severe pain, which increasingly affects her everyday life.

Psychological stress and insecurities

The psychological strain resulting from her injury is enormous. Vlhová reports a feeling of inner fragmentation, so despite outward cheerfulness, she struggles with the emotional pressure that comes with her sports injury. Doctors have been unable to guarantee a successful return to the Ski World Cup, which only adds to their worries. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to ski again,” she says, showing her doubts about returning to form.

Overall, the sports psychologist looks at it Andreas Meyer the situation as a phase that brings not only physical but also emotional challenges. After an injury, an athlete's quality of life often changes fundamentally. During the rehabilitation phase, setbacks can occur that cause feelings of helplessness and insecurity.

Important achievements and the future

Despite these setbacks, Vlhová has achieved many significant achievements in her career, including winning the 2019 RTL World Cup, being named overall World Cup winner in 2021, and two victories at the small crystal ball in slalom. Her development into the 2022 Olympic champion in Beijing has made her the most popular athlete in Slovakia.

However, the return to skiing remains uncertain. Vlhová's injury and the associated rehabilitation process represent a massive challenge. The psychological aspects that play a role in recovery are crucial - not only in terms of physiotherapy rehabilitation, but also in terms of the emotional strength required to return to competition.

Petra Vlhová's further development remains to be seen. Their willingness to face the challenges could be crucial to their return to the slopes and the restoration of their careers.