By Ben Talintyre

Copyright news

Fox, who has 14 world titles, was originally meant to headline the Australian team at next week’s ICF Slalom World Championships in Penrith. However, instead she will be forced to watch on as a spectator.

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That’s because a surprise diagnosis of a tumour on her kidney, and subsequent surgery a month ago, means she has been ruled out of not just the world championships but the rest of the World Cup season as well.

And Fox admits it has been a tough pill to swallow.

“This has been a huge shock and a lot to digest, but once I’d gotten out of surgery and was in my recovery, I think it was pretty clear that I wouldn’t be racing world champs,” Fox said on Friday at the pre-world championships media event.

“If I’m on that start line, I want to be ready and I want to be at my best, and I had to put my health first.

“So I think digesting, for me, has been about processing the fact that it just wasn’t meant to be.

“But I still get to be part of it in a different way, and that I should enjoy it, embrace it, be grateful to be able to be well enough to be there and supporting everyone else.”

The 31-year-old, however, said she is remaining positive despite not knowing when she will be back in competition.

“I’m recovering well and able to be out and about and part of the team just in a different way, and I think it’s important for me to enjoy it and celebrate it as well,” she said.

“But at this stage, I’m just taking it slow and making sure I’m doing the right things when I build back up.

“There’s no set (return) date yet, but in the next couple of weeks, I think I’ll be back having a float on the flat water.”