Korda 'grateful' for US Women's Open return after blood clot in arm

World number two Nelly Korda has low expectations for this week's US Open and is just grateful to be back competing after a blood clot in her arm.

Korda revealed back in March that she had been diagnosed with the clot after her arm swelled up following what she said was a "typical morning workout".

The 23-year-old Olympic gold medallist subsequently underwent surgery and will compete for the first time since early February at Pine Needles in North Carolina in the second major of the year.

"I was just feeling funny," Korda told a pre-tournament press conference when asked how the blood clot came to be diagnosed.

"My arm wasn't feeling too great. I listened to my body. I went to the ER, got some ultrasounds, found out that I had a blood clot, went back home and saw a specialist, Dr Michael Lepore; he was great. Can't think of a better doctor to do the procedure. I've been good ever since.

"Obviously I did a lot of rehab and went out to California for a month, did rehab there, worked with my coach Jamie Mulligan. Wanted him to be there for when I first started hitting balls.

"I started gradually, really slow. I probably went like 60 per cent. I was hitting my 8-iron 100 yards to see how it was feeling, and then once I got the clearance from my doctor I was good to go.

"I've missed it so much. Definitely as I got closer to this week, I started finally hitting it a little longer, I think the juices started flowing a little bit more, but I'm so happy to be out here. I've missed everyone and I'm just grateful."

Asked what her expectations for the week were, Korda added: "To tee up and to hit my first shot on Thursday. That is as far as I'm looking right now.

"I've been out of competition since early February and I'm honestly