Comebacks in sport are rarely straightforward, particularly in tennis where injuries test both physical endurance and mental resilience. For Indian tennis player Karman Kaur Thandi, the road back after nearly 18 months away from the sport has been driven by self-belief and patience.
The former India No. 1 returned to competitive tennis earlier this year after a long injury layoff. Though results have not gone her way, including a failed attempt to qualify for the French Open, the 27-year-old remains optimistic about rediscovering her best form.
“Of course, the results have not been what I expected, but I am not disappointed with myself,” Karman said, while talking to News Arena India on Tuesday. “For me, the biggest victory was getting back on the court and competing again after such a long break.”
Karman recently suffered a first-round defeat to Harmony Tan in the Roland Garros qualifiers, but she views the losses as part of the rebuilding process rather than setbacks. “When you come back after injuries, you cannot expect everything to change overnight,” she said. “I know I still have the game, but now it is about consistency, fitness and confidence.”
The Chandigarh-based player, training in Delhi is now preparing for a series of ITF tournaments in Portugal, hoping to improve her ranking ahead of the grass-court season. Her larger goal remains representing India at the Asian Games later this year.
“If I can get back into the top three in India, I know I will have a chance,” she said. “Playing for the country has always been my biggest motivation,” she said.
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At a stage when many athletes begin thinking about age and longevity, Karman draws inspiration from veteran Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna, who became the oldest player to win a Grand Slam title at 43. “Age is honestly just a number if you are mentally strong and disciplined,” she said. “What Rohan Bopanna has achieved is unbelievable and inspiring for all Indian athletes. When I spoke to him, he told me to stay patient and trust the process.”
Karman admitted that the toughest challenge during rehabilitation was mental rather than physical. Watching tournaments from home while struggling through recovery sessions often tested her patience. “There were difficult days when I wondered how long it would take to come back,” she said. “But my family and support system kept reminding me why I started playing tennis in the first place.”
The former national No. 1 credited Roundglass Sports, her coach, family and husband Gurjant Singh for supporting her through the difficult phase. Gurjant, a former Indian hockey international, was part of India’s gold medal-winning squads at the 2016 Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup and the 2022 Asian Games.
“I was lucky to have people who never stopped believing in me,” Karman said. “Right now, my focus is simple — stay healthy, play more matches and improve step by step.”
Despite months away from the sport and difficult results on her return, Karman believes her comeback is only beginning. “I have learnt to appreciate every opportunity to play now,” she said. “I know my journey back may take time, but good things happen when you stay patient and keep believing in yourself.”
BY JOE WILLIAMS
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