In January, Mikael Ymer made a comeback after an 18-month doping ban. And directly, the Swede got to climb to the top of the podium in a tournament at ITF-level in Luxembourg.
Then, a hectic schedule awaited in a short time – which resulted in a pain in the hip.
I met a lot of doctors who couldn't quite figure out what it was. The magnetic camera examination showed nothing, so in the end, I landed a bit in no man's land, says Ymer in connection with a press conference before the autumn's Nordic Open in Stockholm – which the 26-year-old is clear for.
But in the end, I went to a doctor here in Stockholm who found out what the cause was. And now it's the first time I've felt that "wow, it's getting better”.
”Got moved”
The injury problems and Ymer's singles ranking, 748, meant that he was never an option for the French Championships, which are currently underway. A tournament that is played on clay, the Swede's favorite surface.
If I had competed as usual and not reached it, I might have thought about it. But right now, I'm just super happy if I get to play. Because it has been a tough time with the hip.
I got moved when I could train with my brother here again. It was actually the first time we could train tennis in a proper way for a longer period.
To train without pain describes the tennis profile as a "comeback again", where the feeling can be compared to "floating on clouds”.
”Something bigger”
I talked to a friend a few days ago, that I've always liked tennis and appreciated it. But that it has been a lot of a job. Now it has become something bigger than tennis, something more than just a job – it gives such a strong purpose.
Hopefully, the end of the career is many years away, but I'm already thinking "damn, how sad I'll be when it's over”. Because when I go and lie down after a good training day, life is so much more fun.
Last time Ymer competed was in Miami in March, but the plan is to compete again soon.
I have some wildcards that are on "standby". So it's about using some of them, then I don't know exactly which or when.
Correction: In an earlier version, it was stated that Ymer won an ATP tournament after the comeback. Correct should be ITF.
