Galina Voskoboeva has nearly spent more time holding onto crutches rather than a tennis racquet over the past three years.
After achieving a career-high world ranking of No.42 and reaching her maiden WTA final in Seoul in 2012, the Kazakh was struck down with multiple stress fractures and bruising in her foot. A 22-month rehabilitation process following multiple surgeries resulted in an extended period off the court for the now 32-year-old.
Voskoboeva made her return to the game in early 2016 as an unranked player, searching for form and some much needed match practice. She is back in Hobart for the first time since 2012 and today faces Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier in the first round.
Before Voskoboeva takes to the court, we asked her to finish these sentences…
My goal for 2017 is… to get back into the top 100.
The best lesson I learnt in 2016 was… to never give up.
I love being a tennis player because… it’s a very competitive game.
The hardest part of being a tennis player is… staying away too long from home and family.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is… to stay calm.
My favourite pre-match meal is… pasta.
The best concert I’ve ever been to is… Sting.
My favourite player growing up was… Mary Pierce.
The most random item in my tennis bag is… I have so much stuff in there that nothing’s random.
My best travel tip is… to have a nice book.
My worst habit is… running late.
My go-to karaoke song is… Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.
My favourite social media channel is… Facebook.
I think Hobart is… of a nice nature.