July 4, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
Rising American tennis star 18-year-old Victoria Duval has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Duval is currently ranked 114th in the world and leaped into the spotlight last September at the 2013 U.S. Open with a huge upset over Samantha Stosur in the opening round in just the second Grand Slam match of Duval's career.
The diagnosis came after a biopsy was taken in England before Wimbledon. Further tests in the U.S. confirmed the results. Duval won three matches to qualify for the main draw of Wimbledon and knocked out 29th-seeded Sorana Cirstea in the first round last week, before falling to Belinda Bencic in round two.
"I have complete faith that God will assist me and my family with all that we need, to achieve victory and become stronger from this journey,” said Duval in a statement. “I intend to put up my best fight and have a full recovery. I picture myself healthy, stronger and competing again soon with even more appreciation for the game I so love. I am grateful in advance to my fans and friends for their support and positive thoughts while I will undergo my treatment and fight this battle.”
Duval will miss the 2014 Mylan World TeamTennis season, and her team, the Philadelphia Freedoms, will wear patches with her initials in her honor.
