Won seven doubles matches with a Swiss: ex-tennis player suffers from a “rare tumor”.

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On Sunday, the Italian women’s tennis team missed their country’s fifth title. The team of captain Tathiana Garbin (46) lost 0-2 in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup to the Canadians, who won the unofficial team World Cup for the first time.

At the press conference after the final defeat, former top-30 player Garbin revealed that things have not been easy for her lately: “In October I had surgery for a rare tumor.” The Italian does not reveal exactly what type of tumor it is, but says that she will soon have to undergo a second operation.

Former Bacsinszky partner remains “optimistic”

Garbin won one title at WTA level in her professional career, winning the tournament in Budapest in April 2000. In May 2007, she achieved her highest individual ranking when she finished 22nd.

However, she was more successful in doubles. There she won eleven WTA titles, three of which with the Swiss Timea Bacsinszky (34). In July 2010 they triumphed first in Budapest and a week later in Prague. In October he won the tournament in Luxembourg. The duo won four more titles at ITF events.

The 46-year-old, who ended her career in 2011, is looking ahead with confidence, despite the terrible diagnosis: “I’m optimistic that I will get back on my feet.” Garbin has two reasons for going public. On the one hand, she wants to increase awareness about cancer. On the other hand, she wants to inspire people to “fight life’s challenges with the same determination.” (ch)

Source : Blick