Marino continues inspiring comeback with biggest title

Rebecca Marino was just about done. Done with the sport, strife, and more maladies of all kinds. She had struggled with anxiety, depression, injuries, professionally- and personally-induced pressures, and the woes of reading vile comments in this oft-cruel age of instant social-media "feedback."

Then, wonderfully, the Canadian found that she wasn't quite done.

Tennis for the win.

Marino netted her first title at any level of 2019 this past week, seizing on an opportunity in Kurume, Japan, by beating home-country favorite and qualifier Yuki Naito via a 6-4, 7-6 (0) count in the W60 championship match.

The 28-year-old found her form again this season after returning to the WTA Tour in 2018, when she won five ITF-level titles and returned to the Top 200. This fresh success—the biggest title of her career—comes to Marino after a half-decade hiatus from the sport due to all those unfortunate, aforementioned factors. She's into the second round of qualifying at Roland Garros this week.

Marino is living in the now.

Her big, heralded serve: still there, still strong.

Her confidence: rebuilt.

The Top 100: on watch.

Follow Jon on Twitter: @jonscott9.