There are some truly special talents on the professional tennis circuit, many of whom have defied impossible odds to reach the apex of the sport.
Novak Djokovic stands out as arguably the most renowned example, emerging from war-torn Serbia and developing into one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Whether it be a troubling upbringing or overcoming a serious ailment, those ranked on both the ATP and WTA tours deserve unlimited praise for simply being a level above the rest.
However, there is one woman in particular who is accomplishing the seemingly impossible every day: competing at the highest level whilst being almost blind in her left eye.
Rebecca Sramkova speaks about her vision troubles
What Rebecca Sramkova regularly achieves on the WTA tour is nothing short of miraculous, as she recently opened up on an eye condition that she has suffered with since birth.
Speaking just last year, in a WTA article that branded her ‘almost blind’, she recalled: ‘I don’t know how it is to see good. I tried wearing contact lenses, but the vision was not that much different and I couldn’t stand the feeling.’
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However, this was not the only issue Sramkova has dealt with across her time in tennis, recalling another setback which she overcame in 2017: ‘I didn’t play for almost one year because I had problems with my back.
‘I want to be someone. That’s why we do this sport; to be someone. You see all the other girls around you fighting to be someone, and you want that, too. That’s what keeps me pushing.’
An unflinching mentality for an inspirational individual.
How good has Rebecca Sramkova’s career been?
Putting her career into context, Sramkova’s career has already been a raging success.
A professional athlete in a sport where concentration and eyesight are of paramount importance, the fact that she competes is enough to warrant widespread praise.
However, she does not just make up the numbers.
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This enigmatic Slovakian has enjoyed an impressive 12-year career thus far, reaching a career-high of 36th in the world rankings.
Currently sitting 41st, Sramkova is just outside the seeded spots for Grand Slam events, of which she has competed in five main draws.
Boasting wins over notable names such as Katie Boulter, Sofia Kenin, Beatriz Haddad Maia and Mirra Andreeva, the 28-year-old even has a WTA title under her belt, having won a 250 event in Thailand.
And, just this month she felled the defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková at Queen’s too, before Emma Raducanu knocked Sramkova out of the event.
She has achieved what many will fail to do across an entire career, and still has plenty of good years left competing at the top.
What Sramkova continues to do should be celebrated. A true inspiration who embodies the resilient attitude that the young stars of the future should look up to.