Sara Blicavs’ extraordinary return to the Opals
Just over a year ago, Sara Blicavs wasn’t sure she’d ever step back on the court. Now, after a remarkable recovery from a spinal fusion and disc replacement surgery, she’s back in the green and gold, ready to represent Australia at the upcoming FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
In late 2023, Blicavs faced a tough reality – her pain had become impossible to ignore. With constant pins and needles in her lower body, barely able to get off the couch, and even scared to sneeze, she knew something had to change. To have any hope of continuing her career, surgery became the only option.
Determined not to let go of her Olympic dream, Blicavs did everything she could to manage the pain, refusing to let it derail her path to Paris 2024. But sadly, despite her relentless efforts, the pain became impossible to ignore.
“It was such a goal of mine,” Blicavs said of her mindset in November of 2023 on It’s a Cole World.
“Because it was right there, it was a year after, I just couldn’t go ahead with surgery, I had to try and get there.”
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The UC Capitals forward explained the mental toll of knowing her quality of life was at stake was the deciding factor. It wasn’t a “basketball decision”, it was a life decision.
“It was a risk, I didn’t know I’d be able to play basketball again,” she said.
“For me, I wanted to live life normally and pain-free. Mentally, I was struggling hardcore with it.
“I was so upset with my basketball performance, I felt like I couldn’t play anymore… Life was pretty shit for me at that time.”
Fast forward to 2025, Blicavs was selected for the Trans-Tasman Series after making her comeback through the NBL1 with her junior club, the Melbourne Tigers.
Her first performance back in the green and gold, Blicavs starred against the Tall Ferns, showing no signs she’d even been sidelined. And now, just 12 months after fearing her career might be over she’s headlining the Opals squad in China for the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup – only 12 months after thinking she might not even play basketball again.
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“I feel like I’m 23 years old again. I haven’t felt pain-free in so long and it’s just such a new feeling for me, and I feel like on court, things are working out because of that exact reason,” Blicavs told WNBL Media.
“I am very grateful that Sandy (Brondello) has given me the opportunity to be back in the team. I like to credit myself that I’m a phenomenal human and teammate and that’s a big reason why,” she joked.
“I love playing for Australia, I love playing at that level, I love it when games are harder, more physical and there’s more on the line. It’s just a really enjoyable environment to be a part of, so I was very overwhelmed and emotional with it all (being selected). And now I’m going to take those feelings for the next three, four, five years of my career and bring it into every game.”
Blicavs and the Australian Opals will start their Asia Cup campaign on Sunday, July 13, against the Philippines.
See everything you need to know about the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup here.