Age is just a number: Czech legend returns to the courts, will play with her old partner again

ABU DHABI – Czech tennis player Lucie Šafářová is making her return to the courts after more than six months.

She will team up with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands in doubles at the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi, where they will face the Brazilian-British duo of Luisa Stefani and Heather Watson on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Šafářová’s last appearance on the elite circuit was at the end of July when she and Mattek-Sands played at the Livesport Prague Open. The Czech-American duo reached the final in Stromovka but lost to the top-seeded pair Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková 3-6, 3-6.

In Abu Dhabi, five-time Grand Slam champions Šafářová and Mattek-Sands will compete thanks to a wildcard. For Šafářová, it will also mark her first tournament at the highest level since her original retirement in 2019.