Maia Lumsden is slowly rebuilding her profession after being bed-bound for months having initially contracted Covid-19 in October 2020.
Matteo Berrettini, Marin Cilic and Roberto Bautista Agut all pulled out of Wimbledon following optimistic checks however there’s nothing to cease a participant persevering with to compete, and France’s Alize Cornet claimed earlier this week that an outbreak on the French Open went undeclared.
A British participant sidelined for 18 months by lengthy Covid is anxious gamers are risking their well being by not taking the illness significantly.
Lumsden instructed the PA information company: “In a means it’s comprehensible however lots of people simply don’t realise the results lengthy Covid can have. I feel that’s fairly scary if individuals have it and are simply taking part in on.
“For most individuals they might be high-quality however there could possibly be some the place their profession can get turned the other way up from that. That may be a horrible factor.”
Lumsden solely had a light case of coronavirus however grew to become very unwell a number of weeks later and feared her profession was over after numerous unsuccessful makes an attempt to return to bodily exercise.
The Scot lastly took her tentative first steps in April, successful two singles matches on the current second-tier occasion in Ilkley, and made the second spherical of the doubles at Wimbledon with fellow British participant Naiktha Bains.
Lumsden stated: “It’s been so good to be right here, and taking part in within the singles qualifying as effectively. Even a few months in the past I might have by no means have thought I’d be attending to play right here this 12 months.
“I’m nonetheless not 100 per cent, I’m nonetheless constructing. Singles sensible typically it’s nonetheless fairly tough, the best depth factors. Over the subsequent couple of months I hope that I can construct that match health up once more.
“After such a very long time that’s the factor that’s tough. But it surely’s been completely wonderful to play once more. I’ve had some good ends in doubles. Clearly it’s a bit bodily simpler as effectively.”
One in every of Britain’s finest juniors, Lumsden reached a career-high singles rating of 250 in October 2019 and was trying to push on in the direction of the highest of the sport.
Now ranked down at 661, she is regaining hope that her tennis desires may nonetheless be realised.
“As time goes on I get extra optimistic and assured,” she stated. “However I feel it’s additionally a confidence factor. My physique took such an enormous hit that now it’s studying to belief it once more.
“I’m nonetheless attempting to be affected person and never put any targets on it as a result of I do know proper now I’m not 100 per cent so it’s robust to count on myself to have outcomes which might be what I might clearly need. With time I hope that will probably be attainable.
“I’ve spoken to fairly just a few individuals which might be nonetheless actually combating lengthy Covid. I really feel actually grateful that I’m managing to play at a spot like this.”
