Olympics - Elena Baltacha to undergo surgery; may not come back to pro tennis

Britain's Elena Baltacha revealed that she will be undergoing surgery on her ankles after the Olympic Games and is not sure if she will return to competitive tennis.

Baltacha beat Hungary's Agnes Szavay 6-3 6-3 on Saturday to set up a showdown with former world no. 1 Ana Ivanovic, who also won her first round on Saturday.

“An injury in both ankles requires surgery straight after the tournament and that will mean six months out,” commented Baltacha. “If I feel after the surgery, having done my rehab properly, that I want to come back, I will.

Baltacha is 28 years old and is already thinking of life beyojnd the pro tour. She recently set up a tennis academy as well

“We screened over a thousand girls, we’re going to have more girls join the academy and I really want to spend some time with them, see what that is like, be at home a little bit more.

We screened over a thousand girls, we’re going to have more girls join the academy and I really want to spend some time with them, see what that is like, be at home a little bit more

Elena Baltacha

“If I enjoy the time away then there is a possibility that I might not come back.”