Dinara Safina

Russian Dinara Safina the Tennis world's No. 2 has had a bad time recently which has affected her ability to play Indian Wells which starts soon due to a recurring back injury. Safina's injury was first felt in mid 2009 when she was forced to withdraw from the October championships in Doha. When playing in the Australian Open, Dinara even had to tell the umpire that she was unable to continue during the middle of the match. Dinara Safina, has spent much of her time in rehabilitation recently but it has caused her to be on an emotional roller coaster also during this time.

The rehabilitation that this injury has enforced, may be actually a good thing for Dinara as she has been playing well, but it has taken an emotional toll on her. She did reach No. 1, but the mental power required to stay ahead of the game and to stay on track may in fact mean that Dinara may well benefit from a break. In the April issue of TENNIS this point is detailed by Chris Evert who in the article "The Case for the Hiatus" says that players should indeed be allowed to take time off without having to officially retire from the game. Both Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin also took time out - Clijsters for the decision to have a family, but there had also been long list of injuries to her wrist, back and hip that leant towards the need to retire. "The constant injuries and continual rehabilitation...it makes it all even more difficult to go on," she said when she retired.

With Henin, her decision to retire was more as a result of emotional burnout which she described as feeling that she " was at the end of my road." feeling like this just weeks before she had to defend her French Open title, Henin retired a week later.

Dinara Safina herself has indicated that she hopes to be back in time for the tour as soon as possible saying on her website:

"I'm trying to recover and get fit for 2010, so I can hopefully show you all some good tennis again!" going on to say, "Don't give up on me. I'll do my best!"

It has been two years since the breakout match for Safina and the struggles that affect top tennis players are do not just affect the body - they also affect the mind and this layoff caused by physical injury may be just what Safina needs to get herself back to being match fit again. She needs to be able to enjoy the time on court and a mental break may be just the thing that is needed.