Three-time WTA champion Polona Hercog is planning to make a return to tennis this year, per Sport Klub Slovenia. Hercog, 32, hasn’t appeared in any tournaments since competing at a WTA 125 event in Karlsruhe last May. In the Karlsruhe first round, Hercog was down by a set against Laura Pigossi when she retired the match due to a knee injury.
Since then, Hercog hasn’t appeared in any WTA tournaments. This week, Marko Hrastar of Sport Klub Slovenia caught up with Hercog. Hercog, a former world No 35, confirmed that she hasn’t retired and revealed her plans to return at some point in 2023.
“I’m training, you can expect me back on the WTA tour this year, but for now it’s too early to talk about the exact timeline. I am currently working on certain matters, so unfortunately I can’t tell you anything more. I’ll put it this way, the goal is to return in May or June,” Hercog told Marko Hrastar of Sport Klub Slovenia.
ðCOMEBACKð
Three time WTA titlist Polona #Hercog returned to training in Maribor. “I’m eyeing return in May or June, but nothing official.”
Her last match was in May 2022 (WTA Karlsruhe) when she retired set down to Pigossi with knee injury.https://t.co/6Bpb2Lleg0 — Marko Hrastar ð¸ð® (@Markohrastar) March 3, 2023
Hercog appeared in just five tournaments last year
Last year, Hercog wasn’t able to start her 2022 season in time.
Instead, Hercog played her first tournament of the 2022 season in mid-April, when she competed at an ITF event in Bellinzona. In the next couple of weeks, Hercog appeared in three more ITF events. Then, Hercog went to Karlsruhe to compete in their WTA 125 tournament.
Unfortunately, that later turned out to be Hercog’s final tournament of the 2022 season. In the end, Hercog finished 2022 with a 3-5 record. Hercog, who turned pro in 2006, is a six-time WTA finalist and she has three titles.
Interestingly, Hercog’s third title came in 2019, when she defeated the current world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the Lugano final. Back then, Swiatek was making her first steps on the WTA Tour and Hercog managed to beat her. Since it was their first and lone meeting, Hercog owns a positive head-to-head against Swiatek. Hopefully, Hercog will be able to return this year and avoid any further setbacks.
