Bulgaria women’s national team libero Zhana Todorova missed the world championships, which were held in Poland and the Netherlands, due to injury. Unfortunately, the injury turned out to be serious and the player underwent anterior cruciate ligament surgery which ruled her out of the game for the entire season when she was scheduled to play for Romanian side Rapid Bucharest.

How do you feel now?

“A month and a half after my ligament operation, I feel good. I was immobilized and on crutches for 30 days. At first, it is more difficult to bend and straighten the knee itself. It takes longer. The recovery after the surgery itself is half physical and half mental in the face of the difficulties. I thought it would be easier.

How long will the recovery take?

“Doctors said seven to nine months. That means I won’t be able to compete for about seven months.

Next summer for the women’s national team, it’s the Nations League and then the European Championship. Will you be able to join?

“I hope to be able to join around July. I really hope that I will help, but above all I will try to recover 100%, because health is the most important thing.

You said that rehabilitation is not only a physical issue, but also a mental issue. How are you doing in this last respect?

“For my first serious injury, I think I’m fine. Of course, some negative thoughts overwhelm me from time to time, but for now I’m getting over them. As long as the physio tells me that everything is fine, I have to believe. He is my support now.

When you learned that you were going to have surgery, how did you proceed?

“I couldn’t believe it, I still can’t.” Even now, I sometimes stay home and still can’t figure out what’s going on that I can’t compete for so long. Maybe over time it will just be a bad memory.

How much do you miss volleyball?

“I don’t miss my daily work. The emotions you feel on the pitch are missing. It cannot be replaced by anything else in life. But on the other hand, I can spend more time with my loved ones and my family, which I haven’t had the opportunity to do in recent years. I have family and friends who support me a lot, give me strength, without them it wouldn’t be so good.