Australian tennis star Storm Hunter has orchestrated a remarkable comeback to professional tennis, marking her return with a stellar performance at the United Cup in Sydney just two years after suffering a devastating Achilles rupture. The former top-ranked doubles player vividly recalls the traumatic moment in April 2024 when her tendon snapped during a routine movement on Pat Rafter Arena, an injury that forced her to completely relearn fundamental movements and overcome significant psychological barriers.
Hunter’s journey back to competitive play involved extensive rehabilitation, requiring her to gradually rebuild her ability to walk, run, and jump. The psychological recovery proved equally challenging, as she battled persistent fears of re-injury that only subsided in recent months, allowing her to compete with renewed mental freedom.
Her perseverance culminated in an emotional night of competition where Hunter unexpectedly found herself thrust into singles action against Norway due to teammates Maya Joint and Maddison Inglis withdrawing with illness. With merely an hour’s notice, Hunter delivered a commanding straight-sets victory over Malene Helgo, then returned to the court alongside John-Patrick Smith to secure a decisive mixed doubles win after compatriot Alex de Minaur’s surprising loss.
The victory holds particular significance as Hunter prepares for Australian Open qualifying next week, where she plans to compete in doubles alongside Joint. Team management now faces selection decisions regarding Tuesday’s match against Czech star Barbora Krejcikova, with Joint’s recovery progress being monitored daily. Hunter emphasized that any playing decision would prioritize Joint’s health and readiness to compete at her highest level.