Danielle Collins made a winning return to tennis after undergoing endometriosis surgery two months ago.
The American defeated China’s Xiyu Wang 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the opening round at Roland Garros on Sunday.
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It was her first match since losing in the second round of Miami Open in March. Collins, who had struggled with the debilitating effects of endometriosis for the past few seasons, finally decided to undergo surgery after Miami to make her return at French Open.
“My doctor was adamant,” the 27-year-old told British daily the Telegraph ahead of the claycourt Slam.
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“She said I would be ready for the French Open, but they had to tear through the abdominal muscles, so there was a lot of rehabbing involved.
“They removed a cyst the size of a tennis ball from my ovary, as well as material from my bowel and bladder. But I’ve felt such relief since.”
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Collins has been practicing for the past two weeks.
“I know it might take me a bit of time to get back to consistent match-play, but I love the game, and I love the traveling. I want to have as long a career as I can,” Collins added.
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Collins, who came through the American college system, had reached the quarterfinals at French Open last year.
