Cancer-stricken Tennis star Kleybanova vows to remain strong

The world No 28 has not played a match since May, missing the French Open and Wimbledon, and she chose her 22nd birthday yesterday to make public that she has Hodgkin's lymphoma. Kleybanova is optimistic about her recovery but admitted she is unsure when or whether she will be able to resume her tennis career.

In a message on www.wtatennis.com, she wrote: "It's my birthday today and I want to thank all of you for the wonderful messages. I haven't written anything for a long time about why I haven't been on tour, so that's why I'm writing this today. It's not an easy time for me right now. I've been a bit unlucky with my health. I have Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. I've been having treatment in Italy and it has been going well, but it takes lots of patience and I've had to be really strong to go through this.

"The good news is after I do treatment for a few more months, if I feel well, there's a chance I'll be able to play tennis again. I really miss playing - I miss seeing fans and friends around the world, I miss hitting the ball, I miss everything. Tennis has been my life for the last 15 years. I am a strong person. Obviously this is different than anything I've ever experienced, but after this is over my life will be even better than before. This is the toughest time in my life, and I hope it always stays the toughest time in my life. I'm sure I'll be able to overcome this - it's just a matter of patience and time."