Sebastian Ofner is fighting for a comeback: renovation of the heel is ongoing!

Sebastian Ofner is fighting for a comeback: renovation of the heel is ongoing!

The Australian Open, the first major tennis event of the year, is about to begin in Australia. But the anticipation is clouded by the painful absence of Austrian players in the men's singles. Sebastian Ofner, the 28-year-old Styrian, is currently undergoing rehabilitation after several operations on his heels. His key goal for 2025 is to “finish in the top 100,” despite the challenges his injuries pose. In an interview with the APA, Ofner reported that he was making initial progress: “The pain on his left heel has gotten better,” said the former French Open round of 16, who already felt a noticeable increase in mobility in the first week.

Ofner's fight for a comeback

Ofner, who is struggling with health setbacks in his career, had already suffered a similar injury in 2021 and was out for seven months at the time. Three training sessions on the pitch this week are positive news for him, even if quick changes of direction are still problematic. The Haglund heel pain that led to his surgeries remains a risk. “I hope that I won’t have to have any further interventions before the end of my career,” said Ofner, expressing his hope for stability while training and competition routines should come back into focus.

The Australian Open will continue to be an important tournament in the tennis world. In recent years, numerous top players, such as Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal, have triumphed there. In 2024, spectators cheered Italian player Jannik Sinner as he defeated Daniil Medvedev to win the title. These successes underline the importance of the tournament, which has been held since 1905, and the high-caliber competition it offers. However, due to Ofner's absence, the Austrian tennis landscape in Melbourne will experience a setback. Ofner can only watch the matches from a distance and hopes to be able to take part again next year if his rehab goes well. The challenges posed by the injury are high on his agenda as he focuses on the fight back into the top 100.