Lauren Jackson hasn’t given up hope of another WNBL stint at the age of 42 as she resumes her recovery from an Achilles tendon tear and a broken foot.
Jackson’s optimism comes as she is walking and shooting again, eight weeks into rehab after rupturing her right Achilles while playing for the Southside Flyers in February.
The Opals and WNBA legend concedes it’s a long road back to the court, but she is refusing to rule out another comeback.
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She returned to the training court last week for the first time since rupturing her achilles and posted a video on Instagram on Monday, saying: “My @body — ice pack never too far away. #rehab #surgery #gifted
Jackson proved her fortitude to come out of retirement at age 40 last year, so she knows she possess the inner strength to again defy the odds.
“I’m going to take it day-by-day and see what happens,” said Jackson, who turns 42 on May 11.
“I’m not making any decisions at this point. It took so long to get back to where I was, and it was a really disappointing way for it to end.
“I’ve had surgery on both injuries and I’m back and eight weeks into my rehab.
“It’s a slow and painful injury, the achilles. It’s slow, but I’m getting there.”
Jackson’s rehab has also given her a chance to reflect on her remarkable comeback to basketball last year.
She feels blessed to have played for her hometown Albury in the NBL1 competition.
Jackson also can’t believe she ended a 12-year international absence to help the Opals win a bronze medal at a home World Cup in Sydney.
Her successful return came to a crashing halt in February when she ruptured her Achilles in the opening minute of Southside’s WNBL clash against the Sydney Flames.
You could understand if Jackson felt furious with the hoops gods for the unfortunate injury, but she could only see the “funny” side to the setback.
“I mean, how ironic,” she said.
“It was so bizarre. I remember sitting at the end of the court and I couldn’t walk. I had to figure out a way to move because I just felt it (the achilles) pop and I thought, ‘oh god’.
“I waited 10 seconds, and I was like, ‘this is so typical of me’ and to do it on such a big stage.
“It is just one of those things. I was playing with a broken foot, and it was putting pressure on my other leg and it just gave way.
“Thankfully, I’m good now and I’m back walking.”
Jackson’s hope for another comeback comes as the Opals’ fixtures for the Asia Cup in Sydney this June and July were announced on Monday.
The Australians begin their campaign against the Philippines on the opening night of the tournament, with the match tipping off at the prime time of 7:30pm.
Sitting in Group B, the Opals will also battle it out against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday evening and third-ranked Japan on Wednesday, before the final phase gets underway on Friday 30 June.
The Asia Cup marks the second consecutive world-class event hosted by Australia within the past 12 months, after the FIBA Women’s World Cup was played in Sydney during September-October last year.
With fans turning out in record numbers to support the Opals during that event, Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven, said he’d love to see sports fans recreate an amazing atmosphere.
“Today marks a big milestone in the lead up to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 with the fixture being released and tickets officially going on sale – the countdown to the event is well and truly on,” Scriven said.
“With family-friendly prices starting at $30 for adults and $15 for children, we’d love to see all sports lovers dust off their green and gold apparel and create that electric atmosphere that comes with watching your national team play on home soil.
“We saw first-hand the incredible support the Opals received during the World Cup last year and the positive impact it had on the team, so we feel very fortunate to host another world-class event in our backyard.
“It’s also a great opportunity for families and fans across the country to visit Sydney and explore New South Wales too.”
In addition to Australia, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Japan, China, Korea, New Zealand and Lebanon have also qualified for the tournament and make-up Group A.
Sports reporter
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