Jiri Lehecka marked his return to the ATP Tour with a significant victory at the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, overcoming Mariano Navone in what was more than just a routine win. This match was Lehecka’s first since early May when he was forced to retire during the semi-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open against Felix Auger-Aliassime due to a debilitating back injury.
Reflecting on his triumphant return, Lehecka expressed his relief and joy at being back on the court. “It was an amazing feeling,” he shared with ATPTour.com. “The most important thing was just to feel healthy again and not to feel any pain, which I must say happened today. I was totally pain-free. I felt good on court physically, which was the most important thing for me, and the fact that I won was just a bonus.”
Lehecka’s journey back to competition was fraught with challenges. After his withdrawal in Madrid, his medical team diagnosed him with a stress fracture in his vertebra—a severe setback for a player who had been in peak form and poised to compete for one of the biggest titles of his career.
“I was struggling with my back since the beginning of the clay season,” Lehecka explained. “It got worse and worse during the whole Madrid tournament. I kind of thought that it was okay because I pulled out of Monaco, I pulled out of Barcelona these two weeks. I didn’t play at all. I was just doing some rehab and stuff.”
Despite initial scans indicating that his back was in good condition, the pain resurfaced during his first match in Madrid and progressively worsened, ultimately leading to his premature exit from the tournament. The frustration of being sidelined at such a crucial time was evident, but Lehecka’s successful return in Cincinnati suggests that the young Czech player is back on track and ready to make his mark on the tour once again.
Lehecka in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.35, Jiri owns an overall 19-9 match record in 2024. Jiri is currently competing in Cincinnati where he defeated the world no.38 Mariano Navone 7-6(3) 6-3 and the world no.5 Daniil Medvedev 7-6(2) 6-4.
Jiri Lehecka will face the world no.27 Frances Tiafoe in the 3rd round on Friday at 5:00 pm on Center Court. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Tiafoe.
The Czech has won 1 title in 2024 in Adelaide.
Jiri Lehecka |
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