Sometimes, Tennis is Just a Game! - a Fan's Perspective

Alisa Kleybanova gave the tennis world a big dose of reality last week when she revealed in an open letter on the WTA website that she is receiving treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of cancer. She made the announcement on her birthday, via a letter posted on the WTA website. Hodgkin's Lymphoma, in general, can strike those teens/young adults (15-35) and those who are older than 55. The prognosis is generally pretty good with this disease with the 10 year survival rate approaching 90%.

She is receiving treatment in Italy, as that has been her base of operations for training, and is the place she feels most supported. That's important. So much of any cancer treatment is about staying positive and feeling comfortable in your surroundings as you endure the treatments.

It's pretty easy to get caught up in headlines about Caroline's defense of being #1 with no slams, "Serena's Back", the demise of Venus, and the lack of star power and overwhelming presence of grunting. But at the core of it all, tennis is still just a game played between two players (or 4) on a lined court with some tennis balls. And hopefully it's a game that the participants enjoy, because in the end that is all that matters. Having some fun in your life and enjoying your life.

Alisa is looking forward to the day she can hit a tennis ball again and I think that's great. Goals are an excellent motivator. "But the good news is, if I feel well after I'm done with everything, there's a chance that I'll be able to play tennis again. There is nothing for sure, but the chance is a big hope for me and it helps me to stay positive and focus on my healing every single day!"

I wish her the best in her treatments, and her recovery. I hope she is one of the ones who makes it 40+ years and gets back out on the courts. And I thank her for helping remind us all that tennis is just a game, and that there are more important things to keep in focus.