Bertens back on her feet after achilles surgery

Kiki Bertens struggled physically on the court for quite some time due to an on-going achilles injury. The world No. 9 is hoping to change that narrative in 2021 as she underwent surgery last month to solve the issue.

Bertens has been sharing updates with her fans via Instagram, and it appears she is in high spirits and making light of her current predicament.

On Monday, the 28-year-old gave her weekly update and this time, instead of sitting on a stair lift, she was up and walking.

"Step by step," Bertens wrote as her Instagram caption.

Bertens, of course, was using crutches and wearing a boot, but as she wrote in her chair-lift post, "the only way is up."

The Netherlands native last played at this year's rescheduled Roland Garros, where she fell to qualifier Martina Trevisan in the round of 16. Bertens will miss the early portions of 2021, but she hopes to be back on the court without pain soon.