With career winding down, Kuznetsova seeks 'happy family life'

Svetlana Kuznetsova is still concentrating on her career as she returns from wrist surgery, but the two-time Grand Slam champion admits her wins on the court won't be as important as her happiness off of it.

"I'm thinking about my future. I'm 32 now and I can play for two or three more seasons, but anyway later I will have to find new goals and priorities in my life,” Kuznetsova told *Russia Today*.

“Without hesitation I would definitely change my tennis trophies for a happy family life.”

Kuznetsova first won a Slam as a teenager at the 2004 US Open, and then won the 2009 French Open. In 2017, she was left the tour for five months with injury and underwent wrist surgery. She has begun her comeback with consecutive defeats at Indian Wells, Miami and this week's WTA event at Lugano.

Court Report on Kuznetsova's comments:

The Russian has not won a tournament since 2016, in Moscow.

"I already had a knee injury before. I can't say for sure which recovery process was faster, but now I feel like my rehabilitation has been endless,” said Kuznetsova. “Now [the wrist problem] has improved, but I still feel pain in my wrist after a particularly hard training session. I have played just a few matches after the injury and I'm trying to keep myself as busy as possible now to be in form before Roland Garros.”

The outspoken pro added that there is tremendous pressure on players with the tour's relentless schedule. Keeping proper balance is difficult—as is withdrawing from tournaments which can lead to injuries.

"The tennis tour schedule is very hard, but nobody plans to soften it. It's not an easy task for a tennis player to decide at what tournaments to compete, because you're obliged to confirm your participation in advance," she said.

"Sponsors spend money on advertising. Due to a fully packed calendar, you feel exhausted and can have health problems at any moment. As a result you are pressed to play in any condition. On the other hand, if you only take part in a few tournaments, you will have little tennis practice and will be knocked out in the early stages.

Kuznetsova is currently No. 29 in the rankings.

"I have been playing from January until November for 16 years. This is enormously difficult. Moreover, when I came back to tennis after my knee injury, I wasn't granted a wild card at any tournament."

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