Injuries are not new to Karman Kaur Thandi.
The most recent one to keep her off court, for more than three months, was an elbow injury which forced her to retire in the second round of a $25,000 ITF event in Glasgow in February.
In 2021, playing mostly on European clay, she had put together a string of good results capped by a run to the final in Ortisei, Italy.
It was the clearest indication that the 24-year-old Dehi girl, who had ranked a career-high 196 in late 2018 before a shoulder injury intervened, had turned the corner in terms of her game as well asfitness.
Although she closed the 2021 season with a shoulder niggle that cut short her campaign in the second round in Pune, the confidence and self-belief was sky high.
And that finally bore fruit when she won her only second career ITF 25K title in Gurgaon on Sunday, beating Belgian Sofia Costoulas 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 in the final.
"All injuries are frustrating, especially that I have experienced them pretty often in the past and it just takes you away from the court for a bit which for me is my happiest place. However, staying strong in those times and working hard to get back and stronger with the help of my team and support system on the court is the motivation which keeps me going," Karman said.
Unlike in the past, when long three-setters were the order of the day, Karman wrapped up her matches, except for the summit clash and the first round, in quick straight sets in Gurgaon.
It made the victory -- nearly four years after her first in Hong Kong in 2018 -- even sweeter.
"First title after injury and that too on home soil definitely is a very special feeling," she said.
"It feels great to have won this tournament and moreover that my body is feeling good is even more fruitful.
"There are a lot of positives to take away from this week, and things I need to work on to get better and improve."
The success also comes after she reunited with her former coach Aditya Sachdeva, who has not taken charge at the Round Glass tennis academy in Chandigarh, in March.
"He will be travelling with me soon on some important tournaments. As of now I have my physio Deeksha travelling with me from the academy, which is essential for me and my body at this stage, as we are getting back on track on the tour," Karman said.
