Sweden's Rebecca Peterson is back on the tennis circuit after being ill for a few weeks post the Australian Open in Melbourne. Peterson played her first event since Melbourne at the WTA event in Monterrey, Mexico and reached the quarter-finals where she lost to World No.

70 Arantxa Rus, Speaking to the Tennis.se website, Peterson says she feels she is heading in the right direction but was also very upset to hear that the next few events have been canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"I think it is very positive to bring from Monterrey, especially to be back at competitions again and get three games. It was both nice and hard to be home. It was nice because I had time to meet friends and family a little more than usual, but at the same time very hard because I couldn't work out.

The first two weeks I could not take an active step because I was so sore in my back and worn out health. It was hard to constantly feel that I had to rest. But it is part of the sport and then it is just to make the best of the situation and accept and listen to the body.

(With Indian Wells) being canceled is sickeningly sad. I definitely feel that I'm heading in the right direction. I'm not where I want to be, but on the right track." Peterson says her goals for the season is to qualify for the Olympics.

"Right now, there has been a lot of focus on staying and staying healthy. If I'm not, I still can't play. The goal is to join the Olympics and keep climbing all the time." The Swede also spoke about her compatriot Johanna Larsson, who recently announced her retirement from tennis.

"So sad that Johanna quits, I have to admit that I got a little stomach ache. We have had so much fun at competitions and it has been nice to have her out here. I will miss her as a person, player and our intense training where there is always war.

I am very grateful for everything she has done for me over the years, she has meant so much. At the same time, I know she will have a fantastic next chapter in her life and I wish her nothing but the world's happiness. We have girls running in Swedish tennis, so I hope we can continue to push each other and be inspired by being even better."

Follow this link:

Rebecca Peterson: The goal is to join the Olympics and keep climbing all the time - Tennis World USA