The comeback kid is at it again.
Brian Baker, known–and respected–for having endured the most rotten luck of any player in recent tennis history, is on the main-draw entry list for the 2016 Australian Open.
Having not played on the ATP Tour since the 2013 U.S. Open, Baker is obviously unranked. But he used a protected ranking to get into the field Down Under and–barring any physical setbacks over the next month–will participate in 2016’s first Grand Slam.
“(The doctors) said I was free to train the way I want to train, as long as I’m smart about it, and do what I can next year,” Baker said. “The main limitation has been my right knee…. It’s just been a really long recovery.”
The American’s most recent injury-related disaster occurred at the 2013 Aussie Open, where he suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. He briefly returned later in the season, including at Flushing Meadows, but played only three more events.
Baker underwent five surgeries between 2006 and 2008, although his physical issues started long before that painful stretch. His high point came in 2011, when Baker rose from the proverbial dead to take the tour by storm throughout a miraculous spring and summer run. He finished runner-up on the clay courts of Nice, reached round two of Roland Garros and pushed Gilles Simon to five sets, and he made it to the Wimbledon fourth round.
“I miss the traveling; playing the Grand Slams,” Baker commented. “No one is making me come back. I could have stopped at any point. I did go ahead and get my college degree. I graduated in May. But I’ve always liked playing. I’ve always enjoyed the competition–putting it all on the line.”
Read Baker’s full interview with the ATP.
Baker has endured a lot, and always fights to play one more time. I’m glad he’s back!
definitely agreed
Watch baker draw Rubin. That’d be big for both.