Russian Alisa Kleybanova, who has not played a match since May, has announced she has Hodgkin's lymphoma.
World number 28 has won two singles titles on the WTA Tour
Russian Alisa Kleybanova has announced she is fighting cancer.
The world number 28 has not played a match since May, missing the French Open and Wimbledon in the process, and has now revealed, on her 22nd birthday, that she has Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Kleybanova has won two WTA Tour singles titles - triumphing in Seoul in 2008 and also in Kuala Lumpur last year - and reached a career-high ranking of 20th in the world in February.
She is optimistic about her recovery but admitted she is unsure when, if at all, she will be able to resume her tennis career.
Message
In a message on
www.wtatennis.com, she wrote: "It's my birthday today and I want to thank all of you for the wonderful messages. I haven't written anything for a long time about why I haven't been on tour, so that's why I'm writing this today.
"It's not an easy time for me right now. I've been a bit unlucky with my health. I have Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer.
"I've been having treatment in Italy and it has been going well, but it takes lots of patience and I've had to be really strong to go through this.
"The good news is after I do treatment for a few more months, if I feel well, there's a chance I'll be able to play tennis again.
"I really miss playing - I miss seeing fans and friends around the world, I miss hitting the ball, I miss everything. Tennis has been my life for the last 15 years.
"I am a strong person. I've shown it before. Obviously this is different than anything I've ever experienced, but after this is over my life will be even better than before.
"This is the toughest time in my life, and I hope it always stays the toughest time in my life. I'm sure I'll be able to overcome this - it's just a matter of patience and time."
The WTA offered their support, saying in a statement: "The thoughts of the WTA and the entire tennis family are with Alisa and her family at this difficult time. Alisa is a very strong and optimistic person and we wish her a speedy and full recovery."
