In a single incident Elena Baltacha is responsible for both the least and most surprising tennis stories of the year.

Knowledge that the British No 2 has missed the last month with a back injury will shock no one: this, after all, is a young woman who has known more illness and infirmity than someone three times her age.

Yet throughout all of her problems, which range from the regular strains and pulls of a professional sportsperson through to a debilitating liver condition that may one day end her career, she has remained indomitably positive.

But recently and here comes the startling bit, she allowed herself a moment of despondency.

Last month, after enduring another frustrating first half of the season, she eventually felt she had made a breakthrough by performing well and leading Britain to within a game of Federation Cup promotion - on her least favoured surface, clay.

Then at a low-profile tournament in Mexico, where she reached the semi-finals, her back began to play up. Maddeningly that meant yet another enforced break from which she has yet to return.

Which is where the dejection comes in. Baltacha was feeling a mite sorry for herself when she received some devastating news that, once more, made her take stock of her life.

"A friend of mine died suddenly," she recalled. "He was only 40-years-old, completely healthy, ran his own restaurant, everything was going well for him.

"Then he just died. We still don't really know what happened, his heart and liver just gave up. That really upset me."

Baltacha attended the funeral whereupon she had something of a epiphany.

"I was kind of depressed about my back but when I was there I asked myself what I was doing?" she said.

"I am only 22 years old, hopefully my best years are ahead of me and all I've got to worry about is a back problem. It put things in perspective for me a bit. It made me realise what a great life I have, so what if my back is a little bit sore?"

Throughout all of her problems Baltacha has become something of a psychological alchemist, turning negatives into positives and using them to fuel yet another comeback.

This latest episode is no different. She maintains the fact she will miss virtually the entire clay-court season could help her mount a decent challenge when the surface turns to grass in a month's time.

It has also reinvigorated a sense of well being that hadn't exactly begun to wane but needs a boost every so often. A return to the practice court has given her just that.

"As soon as I got on court all I was thinking was how much I love tennis, whatever happens.

"I really feel a privileged person to have this opportunity of playing the game I love, travelling the world and meeting so many wonderful people. To have this chance as a tennis player really is a blessing."

But whether she plays another eight years of eight months, both are as likely, she allows herself one moment of wistfulness.

"I just wish my body would give me a chance. I have hardly spent any time on the practice court this season," said Baltacha. "If I could just get six months without getting injured or an infection then I am sure I could be a top 100 player.

"But maybe that won't happen. As long as I keep trying to get myself fitter, am improving and can play the tournaments I want then I'll keep doing it."

Which means qualifying at the French Open, an appearance at Surbiton and then her annual trek to Birmingham for the DFS Classic which starts on June 10.