SAN JOSE, USA – CoCo Vandeweghe returned to the tour after a 10-month absence on Monday at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, putting in a crisp and strong performance to defeat Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-4 in the first round. 

Now ranked No.636 with a protected ranking at No.100, the two-time major semifinalist made good on her wildcard into San Jose, striking 21 winners and playing composed, patient power tennis to earn her first singles win in 14 months. While Vandeweghe cut an impressively confident figure on court, the 27-year-old confessed she was riddled with nerves throughout the match. 

“I was crying after the first set after winning that,” Vandeweghe said after the match. “I was very nervous serving it out. It was like I’d forgotten how to do those things. I haven’t done in a while. 

“But I’m beyond happy. I couldn’t ask for anything better to start. Just being out there and playing and competing is one thing for me to be emotional and super happy about. And then there’s getting the win on top of that and playing a good tennis match. 

“I mean, this was the first time I played two sets. I haven’t played two sets, so I didn’t know what was going to happen.”

The win was the former World No.10’s first since making the quarterfinals at 2018 s’Hertogenbosch. Two weeks later, Vandeweghe would roll her right ankle in the first round at Wimbledon, setting off an unexpected chain of events that would leave her immobilized months later and ultimately diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, sidelining her for the season.

Vandeweghe describes the circumstances and sudden onset of her injury, how it felt to be rendered a couch potato, and the painful process behind her recovery.