Dellacqua still suffering one year after concussion

CONCUSSION ... It's been a year since I fell on court in Beijing and a lot of people have asked me what happened?! As you can see my determination to make the shot is evident but unfortunately it was a shot I wish I never went for. The fall and the aftermath of the fall resulted in some of the toughest days I've had to overcome. Concussion is not a common tennis injury and I never really knew anything about brain injuries prior to my accident. I genuinely thought after a couple of weeks I would be all good and back on court, however this was far from the case at all. My post-concussion symptoms were terrible and for weeks I could not look at my phone or the TV as I was so sensitive to light. I could not concentrate long enough to hold a conversation and I felt like I was in a world of drowsiness. My headaches were constant, painful and they were wearing me down. I wondered when or if they would ever go away. I also suffered whiplash as I flung my head back so my neck was bloody painful all the time too. But it was after my physical symptoms subsided and I started to feel better the worst was yet to come. I experienced terrible anxiety to the point where I couldn't leave the house. I have never experienced anxiety before and it was really scary. I was reassured that it was all part of the concussion but at the time I just couldn't understand why I wasn't back to feeling my confident and bubbly self. I fought hard to get back on court earlier this year but again I didn't feel myself at all so I decided to take a protected ranking and really take my time to recover fully both mentally and physically, as health is always priority. As they say "everything happens for a reason" and I feel so extremely grateful for the time I have had at home with my family. Especially since our daughter Andie was born I have been able to be at home and really enjoy my time with our children which is the greatest gift of all. I hope to be back on court competing soon but for now I just wanted to say thanks for your support always ❤❤ xx

Posted by Casey Dellacqua on Tuesday, October 4, 2016