Pouille doesn't give up: "My intention is to return in 2026"

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We all felt a little heartbroken this Sunday when we saw Lucas Pouille's fall in the final of the Lille Challenger. It didn't seem too serious until the Frenchman appeared at the trophy presentation on crutches, talking about retirement. Three days later, after the Achilles tendon operation was successfully performed, Pouille spoke with Eurosport France colleagues, with a speech completely different from the last time. Today Pouille believes again, even though the road ahead is long, that his career as a professional tennis player is not over yet.

“The scar is still very sensitive, but the pain will eventually go away with pills. Overall, everything has gone well, although I am prepared to face a long period. I think it will take between seven and eight months before returning to competition, provided everything progresses correctly. Right now, the intention is to return at the beginning of 2026,” acknowledges the 30-year-old player, taking advantage of a time when being in the thirties no longer means hanging up your racket.

“I already said that I would do everything possible to come back. At that moment in the speech, I was deeply affected by emotion; I thought that after rupturing the Achilles tendon, it would be almost impossible to compete again at the highest level. Fortunately, tennis is a sport with an incredible number of new beginnings, but my mind still wonders if putting all my efforts will be enough to start from scratch. In early 2026, I will have zero points and be ranked 700th in the world, we will see…,” evaluates the French tennis player, who had a comeback in 2024 to return to the top hundred in the rankings.

And some may wonder, with Pouille's career behind him, is it necessary to try again? The answer is yes, and the reasons are very clear. “For the pleasure of playing, feeling the adrenaline, the simple excitement of being on the court,” exclaims Lucas in the conversation. “The desire to prove that I can come back also drives me; there is always that small dose of personal pride. I was never a player who gave up or did not face adversity and tough situations, so I won't now. I will turn 31; if I come back, it will be at 32, I think I still have four beautiful years ahead to play and try to stay away from injuries,” he says with excitement.

LONG-TERM GOALS

Twelve seasons as a professional, a positive balance of wins/losses, five individual titles, top 10 status, quarterfinalist in three of the four Grand Slams, a Davis Cup, and numerous victories against the best in the men's locker room. We might think that Pouille has few goals left to achieve on the court, but the truth is that the Frenchman still harbors many dreams in his mind, some of which he has already experienced but are so exciting that it is worth going through hell to see himself on that stage again.

“I would like to return to a big tournament and, for example, reach the second week of a Grand Slam. I would like to play one last time with the French Davis Cup team. These are things I enjoyed a lot in the past and that I would love to relive in the future. I want to do it; I want to give myself one last chance to achieve it,” concludes a Pouille whom we are eagerly looking forward to seeing in action next season.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pouille no se rinde: “Mi intención es volver en 2026”