Martina Hingis would face no problem from her injured ankle if she decides to return to tennis, according to her surgeon.

Heinz Buehlmann operated on Hingis in May. He told a Swiss newspaper Sunday that her ankle has healed properly.

"Martina can play again,'' Buehlmann said. "Martina has had this problem for four years, but the joints of her foot are absolutely OK.''

Hingis said last week that she had no idea if she would return to tennis and didn't have a time frame in mind.

Buehlmann said her barrier would be mental.

"From a medical point of view a comeback would be no problem, but Martina would have to grit her teeth. She would have to be prepared for some pain,'' he said.

"I know Martina very well. I know from the past that she can come back. But whether she wants that, I do not know.''