Key Takeaways
- Jesper de Jong revealed that an extra bone fragment pinched his Achilles tendon, resulting in a vertical tear that cannot heal without surgery.
- The Dutch player had dealt with heel discomfort since the start of the year, but symptoms worsened significantly in August with noticeable swelling.
- De Jong will undergo surgery in mid-November and plans to return to professional competition in early April using a protected ranking.
Surgery scheduled to resolve persistent Achilles tear
Dutch tennis player Jesper de Jong has announced an extended break from professional competition to resolve a persistent heel and Achilles injury that hindered him throughout the season.
The Dutchman shared an update detailing the medical issue, explaining that an anatomical problem prevented his tendon from healing naturally after months of competing through discomfort.
According to De Jong, medical scans revealed the root cause behind his worsening physical condition, noting that “an extra piece of bone that is pinching my Achilles tendon, which has a vertical tear in it.”
Pain began early in the season before worsening in August
De Jong explained that the discomfort originated at the start of the year, though he managed to compete for several months before the injury deteriorated noticeably later in the summer.
While adrenaline helped him get through various tournaments without severe issues initially, the situation became unsustainable by August when visible swelling appeared on his heel, prompting a thorough medical assessment.
Return targeted under protected ranking in April
Faced with an injury that could not resolve on its own, De Jong opted for surgical intervention, which requires several months of recovery and rehabilitation before he can safely compete again.
Outlining his path back to the tour, De Jong confirmed his timeline, stating, “So I’ve made the difficult decision to undergo surgery mid November and make my comeback once I’m eligible for a protected ranking, which will be at the start of April.”
The extended layoff of around six months will ensure that he meets the criteria to utilize an injury protected ranking when he re-enters ATP Tour tournaments in the spring.
Jesper De Jong in 2026
Now the world no.102, De Jong played his last match on the 29th of September when he had to retire when playing against world no.190 David Jorda Sanchis in the 1st round and the scoreline was 6-4 3-5 .
This season De Jong has achieved a composed 28-27 match record. Jesper clinched 1 title in the Cattolica Challenger.
He is also scheduled to play in Orleans Challenger (Orleans Challenger). The main draw will start on the 9th of November.
