Caroline Wozniacki believes that part of Laura Robson’s recovery from the wrist injury that kept her out for 17 months may be accepting that her best form will not return immediately.
Robson, who has been handed a wild card for Wimbledon, was offered a reminder that the healing process is not finished yet when her comeback flashed by in less than an hour. Yet her 6-1, 6-0 defeat by the world No41, Daria Gavrilova, in the qualifying event of the Aegon International at Eastbourne on Saturday did not bother her unduly. Robson, 21, was just glad to be back on the court after such a long time away.
Wozniacki said that her friend will need to be patient. “I think it will be tough for sure,” the world No5 said. “It’s never easy when you come back from an injury. She’s been out for a year and a half. She’s a good player and she has the technique. She still has many years to play.
“It’s going to be tough but I definitely think we will see her back because, if you work hard and have the will and she’s been there before, I don’t see a reason why she shouldn’t be back. I just think it’s not going to be overnight. I think it’s going to take time.
“I think she knows exactly what she’s doing. She has a good team around her. I can say one thing but she knows exactly what she needs to do. Obviously I think she needs to know it’s going to take time. But again I think that we are going to see her back.”
Wozniacki hit with Robson last week and reported that her mood is positive. “She’s definitely in good spirits,” the Dane said. “I think when you’re away for a long time you get the hunger and you realise this is what you want to do. She was definitely happy to be back and competing and being able to play points again. That’s a great feeling.”
