Rocky Stanley
Ashland — Watching the Australian Open on TV is not exactly what Julie Ditty had in mind for the year’s first major tennis tournament.
A year ago in Melbourne, Ashland’s Ditty advanced to the second round of the singles qualifier at the Grand Slam event.
This time, she didn’t make the trip because of an injury layoff.
Ditty, a left-hander, hurt her right wrist last September. It happened during practice after the U.S. Open, where she reached the second round in doubles.
“I was hitting a backhand and felt sharp pain in the wrist,’’ Ditty said. “I had to stop. For three months, almost four, it hurt so bad.’’
The injury was a combination of a sprain and tendinitis. Ditty tried switching to a one-handed backhand while waiting for the wrist to get better. But it was slow to heal.
“It was really tough at the beginning,’’ she said. “I was thinking, what if this is it for me. I wasn’t sure how long I would be out.’’
But Ditty, who turned 31 earlier this month, kept her motivation by focusing on her training and fitness. She has seen positive results from a Bikram Yoga program, generally consisting of 90-minute sessions in a room heated to 105 degrees.
“It’s a lot of stretching exercises,’’ Ditty said. “It’s been so good for me.’’
About a month ago, Ditty’s wrist began feeling better. She continues to train in Lexington with University of Kentucky players — women and men — and feels ready to resume her pro career.
But Ditty’s return won’t come until March. Although her WTA world rankings took a big hit due to inactivity — she’s currently No. 315 in singles and 94 in doubles — Ditty applied for a protected ranking that allows players sidelined for six months to enter eight tournaments at their previous ranking. She reached a career-best No. 66 in doubles last August and was 133rd in doubles prior to the injury.
“I can choose the eight tournaments,’’ Ditty said. “I’m not sure which ones I will use it for.’’
Her plan is to first compete in smaller tournaments on the USTA circuit as she works her way back to the WTA level.
Ditty’s break from a demanding, around-the-world pro career is allowing her to spend time back home with family.
“It’s been nice to be in one place for more than a week at a time,’’ she said. “I come home on weekends. I get to see family and babysit (for nieces and nephews).’’
The respite also gives Ditty an opportunity to be formally inducted into the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday in Louisville. She was part of the 2008 class but could not attend the ceremony due to her tennis schedule.
Ditty called the Hall of Fame honor “definitely special, and kind of weird because I’m still playing. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of people I have not seen since playing junior tournaments in Kentucky.’’
USTA Kentucky’s 2009 Hall of Fame Class also has a strong tie to Ashland. Professor R.W. Ross is being recognized for his influence in Kentucky tennis, particularly the Ashland area. From 1946 to 1975, Ross worked for the YMCA teaching lessons and directing the tennis courts in Central Park.
ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.
