Not too long ago, Katie Swan thought her playing days might be over.

Once hailed as one of Britain’s brightest young talents, her promising career was derailed by injuries, and she found herself outside the world’s top 1,000.

But on Tuesday, Swan became the first British player to reach the second round at this year’s Wimbledon with victory over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.

It represented a “full-circle moment” for the 27-year-old, who claimed her first Grand Slam main-draw win against the same opponent at Wimbledon in 2018.

Given a wildcard into this year’s championships, Swan rewatched her previous win over Begu to prepare for her SW19 return after three years away from the All England Club.

“It feels like a different life eight years ago [for] me to today,” said Swan, who was ranked 1,114th in the world just 14 months ago.

“In a way it’s kind of felt quite special to play her again here.

“I know it was eight years ago but it still gave me a sense of confidence that I had beaten her before.

“I knew she would remember that, too.”

Swan first came to prominence when she reached the 2015 Australian Open girls’ singles final aged 15.

A year later, she became the youngest ever player to represent Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup.

But her career never took off the way many expected it to.

Swan was plagued with persistent back injuries and was often forcing herself to play through immense pain. By the end of 2024, she had reached breaking point.

“I wasn’t playing tennis anymore. I was coaching in the United States and I wasn’t really sure there was a way back to professional tennis,” she told BBC Radio 5 live.

“I never fell out of love with the sport. I just couldn’t stay healthy for long enough.

“I was trying to enjoy coaching and do what I could to earn some money, but it was not really fulfilling for me in that moment.

“I knew there was a lot more I could still give if I could just find a way to resolve my health issues.”

Luckily for Swan, she found a doctor that could help. Unfortunately, the treatment she needed was “excruciating”.

“He ended up doing a nerve kind of treatment on me. It was very painful,” she said.

“He found that my nerves weren’t functioning properly. It wasn’t very enjoyable, but I spent a couple of weeks with him, and it really, really helped.”

Since having the treatment in early 2025, Swan has been able to stay on court and slowly rise up the rankings, helped by winning six titles on the ITF women’s circuit.

After breaking back into the top 200 earlier this month, Swan received a wildcard for Wimbledon – a moment that left her crying on a massage table as she received treatment.

“I’m very fortunate to be from a Grand Slam nation where we have the opportunity to be awarded wildcards,” she said.

“I would also say I’m proud of myself for putting myself in a position to get back to this point.

“I had to accept that was the level I was going to have to start at if I ever was going to come back.”

Swan will get another chance to play at her home Slam later this week when she faces 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the second round.

But even after picking up her first Grand Slam match win in in eight years, Swan is looking ahead to the future.

“I have exceeded my expectations in the last year so far, but as tennis players, we’re always looking for more regardless of how we do,” she added.

“I didn’t want to retire from tennis with any regrets – and I feel like if I’d have stopped back then, that would’ve been the case.

“I’m glad that I kept going after moments like today.”