Wed 05 April 2023, 12:00
Tottenham HotspurShelina Zadorsky has opened up about the mental and physical health struggles that have kept her out of action in recent months.
Our captain has not featured in lilywhite since our Women’s Super League clash with Manchester United in February and not played a competitive match since Canada faced Japan on 22 February.
In an honest video and extended statement on social media, Shelina revealed that she has been dealing with health challenges over the last three-and-a-half months.
“For the first time in my career, I reached a limit,” said the Canada international. “In my own experience over the last three and a half months I have been dealing with health challenges relating to Covid, illness, fatigue, and honestly, every sick symptom you can name.”
— Shelina Zadorsky (@Shelina4) April 4, 2023
After playing through illness in our busy triple-game week in December, our skipper tested positive for Covid and was given time off for the first time in her career to recover over Christmas.
Unfortunately, Shelina then tested positive for Covid again after battling through an intense game against the Red Devils on 12 February before a difficult time away on international duty, writing how she was isolating, too ill to train and had ‘alarming’ heart rate statistics after 90 minutes against Japan.
“In mid-December I found out I had Covid at the end of a three-game week,” detailed Shelina. “Unfortunate timing, after playing sick through all three matches. My club and I figured I needed a break during Christmas… I cannot remember the last time I took six consecutive days off.
“I left everything I had out on the pitch [against Manchester United]. Come to find out that I had Covid again… the day after leaving everything on the pitch versus United I headed into camp [with Canada] less than 24 hours later. Arrival in camp was a tough one… I couldn’t train on day two because I was so ill… I managed to play 45 minutes against Brazil and 90 minutes against Japan… your heart rate spent 81 minutes at 90-100% of your max… Alarming.”
Following another quick turnaround from international duty to our FA Cup game against Reading on 26 February, Shelina was running on empty and at ‘breaking point’ with her mental health, realising she had to seek help. As well as Covid, medical tests then diagnosed her glandular fever and Coeliac’s disease, compounding her struggles.
“I finally told my coach that I was not physically or mentally prepared to be at my best for the team [against Reading],” she added. “I finally let my full guard down. I was not okay… by this time, my mental health also had its breaking point. I was in uncharted territory for myself but I’m fortunate to have the support from my club, doctors, nutritionists, my teammates and national team, and all the incredible people in my life, including my partner.”
Our skipper is now back training and determined to come back ‘stronger than ever’ for our remaining five matches, starting with Aston Villa on Sunday, 23 April. In a heartfelt closing message, Shelina said: “Truly, this message is to anyone who is struggling. You are not alone, so take the small wins, reach out for help, and whether good or bad, this too shall pass.”
