According to reports on Twitter from the tennis community, Australian tennis coach and player Nathan Healey is on the mend following emergency heart surgery.
Billie Jean King, who included Healey in her Philadelphia Freedoms lineup of World TeamTennis last season, shared a tweet from Healey on Thursday, expressing her happiness about his recovery.
In King’s retweet, Healey expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating, “Thanks so much for all the well wishes – It’s not too bad being alive!”
He reflected on a moment of despair, saying, “I honestly conceded that I was dead on Monday – saying my goodbyes good story.”
He added a valuable lesson: “We must all appreciate what we have in life, not what we have not. It’s the simple things in life that should be the focus of our attention, like this chicken broth for example – first food since ordeal. Cheers guys I will be in touch! Play Awake!”
Reports from ATP personnel and tennis commentators indicated that Healey went through 12 hours of emergency heart surgery, with well wishes coming from American Ryan Harrison and Australian Matt Ebden among others.
Healey has a history of coaching Lleyton Hewitt and dedicated 12 seasons to his playing career on the ATP Tour, securing three doubles titles.
This incident follows closely on the heels of Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match over the weekend.
by Buford Balony
