It started at Wimbledon in 2009, when I was 33 and ranked number one in the world. After one of the matches I came back to my room, I was lying on the bed and I couldn’t lift my leg up at all. It was like someone put a knife in my groin.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans revealed the source of my pain: osteoarthritis caused largely by hip dysplasia, a disorder that occurs when the joint socket is shallow and does not fully cover the ‘ball’ portion of the hip.

Because I was physically in good shape, I was able to compensate and continue playing despite my condition. However, after a while, I was in pain 24/7 and it was affecting me physically, mentally and emotionally. I decided that it was finally time for the hip replacement surgery.

In June 2018, I had both hips replaced in a single operation. It involved removing the damaged bone surfaces from the hips and replacing them with prostheses to replicate the action of natural joints. After the surgery, the surgeons were amazed that I’d been able to play in my condition. There was no cartilage on both hips and my movement was severely restricted.

An enhanced recovery programme including fast-track mobilisation allowed me to walk out of the hospital six days later. I played my first tournament in February 2019 and since then I’ve played a couple more, with one win at the Challenger level.

I want to show people that it’s possible to come back and play at a high level after a surgery like this. So far, everything’s going well, and it’s given me the opportunity to continue doing what I love.