Keothavong recovering after successful surgery
Anne says op’ went ‘according to plan’
Anne Keothavong can begin the long road back to full fitness after undergoing surgery on her left knee on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old British No.1 is back home following an operation to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee and expects to be sidelined for around six months.
Keothavong told her personal website that the operation, performed by orthopaedic surgeon Jonathan Webb at the Lister Hospital, in Chelsea, south west London, went smoothly.
Webb used a procedure known as a hamstring graft to repair the damaged ligament. This involves taking a piece of the hamstring tendon from behind the knee and using it in place of the torn ligament.
“Everything went according to plan and the surgeon Jonathan Webb was confident about the job he did!” Keothavong said on Wednesday morning.
“Now I’ve got the operation out of the way I can really focus on the rehab and set small goals for myself to allow me to move onwards and upwards.
“It’s another big challenge for me and I’m confident I’ll come back as a stronger tennis player when I’m ready.”
The Londoner brought her 2009 season to a premature end around two weeks ago when she tore the ligament along with the meniscus in her left knee while competing in California.
Currently ranked No.55 in the world, Keothavong is aiming to be back playing on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in February 2010.