Foot amputated, mother paralyzed: tennis coach Lundgren talks about a bad year

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It is mainly his love for tennis that turns out to be his downfall for ex-Federer coach Peter Lundgren (58) at the beginning of September. Ultimately, it is the reason why he recently received the shocking news that he would have to have his left foot amputated. The Swede actually just wanted to watch the final of the US Open. Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev.

Cozy in front of your own television, at home in Sundsvall. But he was too late, ran back into the bathroom, and then… it happened. Lundgren ran back into the living room, hit the doorframe with his left foot and stumbled terribly. The ankle was broken. And his story of suffering began.

Lundgren contracted an infection that was difficult to control because of his type 2 diabetes. Healing was poor, forcing doctors to first amputate the little toe and the adjacent toe. The rest will have to wait. The doctors wanted to try for three weeks, until in early October they finally told Lundgren that the foot could no longer be saved: “I had no chance. The bone could not heal properly due to my disease,” said the former tennis professional, who was once number 25 in the world and later coached Roger Federer to his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

The accident and foot amputation tragically occurred just a few months after another blow of fate struck him earlier this year. Lundgren’s 87-year-old mother suffered a stroke early summer and has since been paralyzed on one side. Lundgren cared for his elderly mother and also took in the 17-year-old family parrot “Peppo.” But when Lundgren himself ended up in the hospital, he was forced to sell the bird and give it “to a new home.”

Federer and Wawrinka also contacted him

The renowned tennis coach is happy that this issue has been resolved. And most of all, he’s “just relieved that it’s all over.” It seems he survived the operation well. The infection in the body has disappeared: “I finally feel human again, I feel fantastic.”

On the one hand, the fact that his mother has been making steady progress lately gives him confidence. And on the other hand, the many messages from old and new comrades would give him strength. Those cheering him on in recent days included not only his former players Federer and Stan Wawrinka, but also Federer’s old coach Severin Lüthi. Or shooting star Dominic Stricker (21), who has called Lundgren his mentor and advisor since March this year.

Lundgren says: “I was very happy that they reached out. This strengthens me for the coming rehabilitation.” But allowing yourself to be defeated is not an option anyway: “I am ready – I will fight!”

Source : Blick