me, and I was taking one home no matter what,” she says. And boy, has she taken home some pretty outstanding trophies. Mattek-Sands is the proud owner of seven Grand Slam titles and over 15 WTA doubles titles, including winning the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in 2016. “Winning [the] U.S. Open 2016 was really special for me because I was playing in New York City on 9/11 and wearing my American flag knee high socks,” she adds. Mattek-Sands also brought home the trophy of all trophies – an Olympic gold medal – in mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. “Tennis is something I’ve fallen more in love with as the years go by,” she explains. “I appreciate everything that goes into the journey, not just the moments celebrating a win.”
“NO OUTSIDE CIRCUMSTANCES, LIKE MY INJURY, FOR EXAMPLE, OR PERSON HAS THE POWER TO INFLUENCE MY THOUGHTS OR MY ATTITUDE, SO EVERY DAY I ASK MYSELF WHAT MINDSET I’LL BE CHOOSING TODAY.”
What’s almost more impressive than all of her outstanding achievements is Mattek-Sands’ unapologetic positivity, especially when things get tough. This July, she took a horrific fall that ruptured her kneecap during The Championships, Wimbledon. Her cries on the court were like shots heard around the world. Her husband, Justin, was the first to rush to her aid. “There is this picture of him holding my head after I suffered the injury on the court, and it makes me tear up a little bit when I look at it,” she admits. “He has always been by my side every step of the way whether I can walk or whether he has to carry me.” Nothing, including an injury, will take the wind beneath this rock star’s sails. Thanks to her fantastic team of doctors, trainers and therapists, Mattek-Sands is expected to regain full range of motion and strength in her leg. She has used this time away from the court to reflect, learn and grow as a person. “Tennis is what I do and love but not who I am,” she states. She and her husband agree that laughter is the best medicine, which is why they created an Instagram series called #InBedWithBethanie, which follows Mattek-Sands on the road to recovery ... in bed. “Since I literally was bedridden, everyone that came to visit me post-surgery had to come hang out with me in my bed and either bring me a present or some type of snack to cheer me up,” she says. Since being freed from the shackles of bedrest, MattekSands has been one busy lady. She provided commentary at the U.S. Open for ESPN and Tennis Channel, delivered keynote and motivational speeches at countless events and, most importantly, has continued to rest at home in Arizona with family, friends and her furry baby, Ruger. “I moved here 11 years ago on a recommendation to train with Jay Schroeder of Evo UltraFit,” she recalls. “I ended up meeting my husband, Justin, who was also training with Jay at that time. Since then, I’ve never looked back.” When she isn’t nearly knocking people over with her killer shots, Mattek-Sands enjoys everything from skin care – she makes her own natural skin care products at home – to health and wellness and interior design. She and her Brett Favre look-alike husband, as she says, have recently taken up home renovation. “I find interior design and architecture so fascinating,” she elaborates. “It’s fun to breathe new life into a 50-year-old property here in the Valley.” Mattek-Sands is hopeful to make her return to the court early next year, swinging at 2018 with nothing other but a smile and those exciting outfits of hers that have been so desperately missed. “I love pushing my limits, but I realize that the only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves,” she says. “No outside circumstances, like my injury, for example, or person has the power to influence my thoughts or my attitude, so every day I ask myself what mindset I’ll be choosing today.” To learn more about Mattek-Sands, visit www.bmattek.com.
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