Although it seems like the 2025 tennis season is approaching its latter stages, for some players it is only just beginning.
That was certainly the case last week for former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who had not competed since February following a foot injury.
The American did not make the winning return that she would have liked to in Guadalajara, but Stephens still provided a positive fitness update after the match.
Now another top WTA player has returned to action, with the former world number one playing her first match in over a year.
Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty ImagesKarolina Pliskova makes winning return in first match since 2024 US Open
Karolina Pliskova is a former world number one, who has won 17 WTA titles and been in two Grand Slam finals in her career.
However, last year at the US Open, Pliskova was forced to retire from her second round match against Jasmine Paolini after playing just three points.
That was due to a left ankle injury, that Pliskova then underwent surgery on and was unable to compete on the WTA Tour for nearly 13 months.
Pliskova announced that she would be returning at the lower-level WTA 125 tournament in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, and she has made a successful start.
In her first round match against world number 279 Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, the currently unranked Pliskova won, 6-1 4-6 7-5, to return to winning ways.
This is quite remarkable when you consider that Pliskova could not walk after undergoing the surgery, something she told Flashscore ahead of her return.
“Tennis is fine. I went to play after six months, and it felt like the break was only two weeks,” said Pliskova. “My arm is totally fine. I don’t think I’ve lost my feel for the ball. It’s the physical condition that’s worse. I mean, I couldn’t even walk, so it took me an awfully long time to start running and moving in general.
“Movement is just a bigger problem, it’s not that good, but I believe I’m going to pass something and get some portion of matches in over time. But I have the strength, I’ve actually been in the gym continuously and have been for two months post-op. At the time I was like, I’ve got to be quick, quick, just in case the leg is good, I’d better be ready.”
This sentiment was echoed in the on-court interview after the match, as Pliskova suggested she is not too focused on results.
“For me at the moment it’s not a matter of tennis, it’s a matter of getting back my physical condition,” said the 33-year-old.
Karolina Pliskova back on court with a good win at the Caldas da Rainha WTA 125.
7-5 in the 3rd, 2h30 over Adrianjafitrimo.
“For me atm it’s not a matter of tennis, it’s a matter of getting back my physical condition”. pic.twitter.com/rF25FuF0gK
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 15, 2025
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What are Karolina Pliskova’s plans for the rest of the 2025 season?
With Pliskova making her return to tennis after a lengthy absence, there are understandably now questions about what her plans are going forward.
However, the Czech appears to be taking things day by day, but Pliskova did reveal that she has already been offered wildcards for upcoming tournaments in Asia.
“I got my [wild]card for Portugal, then I have cards somewhere in Asia,” said Pliskova. “I think I got it for Tokyo and somewhere in Japan and I’ve also been offered somewhere in China. But that’s more of a plan for later, when I feel more comfortable and confident.
“Right now, with this first start, we’re kind of living day to day. I can’t plan anything five or six weeks in advance yet. Of course, I would like to go to as many tournaments as possible, but we’ll see what my body says.”
Pliskova also has a protected ranking of world number 40 at her disposal, something she has hinted she is intending to use for both the Australian Open and Wimbledon next year.
As she now looks to recover from her first match back in some time, Pliskova will look ahead to her second round match against Polina Iatcenko.