Aljaz Bedene once played with appendicitis
Aljaz Bedene talked about a crazy episode of his tennis career at Behind The Racquet . Out of financial hardship, he played matches with appendicitis.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 10, 2021, 04:21 pm
In 2012, the Slovene made it into the top 100 in the world for the first time. It's an old song: The Grand Slams are important for tennis professionals, even with defeats in qualification, a good part of the season is financed through. The 31-year-old was hit hard at the US Open.
"My stomach started to hurt during a rain break. I thought I was just hungry," said Bedene in an article. After he won the game, the pain only got worse. Bedene had himself examined because he could not sleep at night. The diagnosis: appendicitis. "He told me not to play. I didn't want to know how appendicitis could harm my body because I just had to win. I had to ignore the pain because I needed the money."
In the third set of the next match, Bedene had cramps all over her body. It was later assumed that it was just faking it. Bedene continued playing, even had match point, but lost after a close decision in the tie-break.
"We went to the hospital, they told me I needed an operation," says Bedene. "If I had won the match, I would have continued. I was lucky that I lost. That probably saved my life."
Bedene once played with a broken wrist, describing himself as a bite. "We don't have a basic salary, only a few can live on it. The rest have to fight for every match. On the tour you are on your own. All alone in the wilderness."
In Slovenia, tennis is not highly regarded, says Bedene. He comes from a humble background, parents struggled to get sponsorship deals for him. "If life were easier, I don't know if I would play tennis because the situation has so motivated me to be successful," says Bedene. "What could be better than making money from the sport you love?"
Bedene is currently number 58 in the world. In 2018 he was already in 43rd place. So far he has been in the final of an ATP tournament four times. He twice beat a top 10 player.