Dent Recovering from Back SurgeryTaylor DentFormer Top 30 ranked Taylor Dent is recovering from back surgery and is hoping to be back on court by the end of the U.S. summer hard court circuit.The 25-year-old American underwent back surgery Mar. 19 at Century City Doctors Hospital in Los Angeles performed by Dr. Todd H. Lanman, Chief of Neurosurgery. Dent had two lumbar fractures in his lower back area corrected by Robotically Assisted Anatomical Restorative Spinal Surgery. "He is feeling well and an excellent outcome is expected based on his progress thus far," said Dr. Lanman. Dent is in a cast and he will begin rehabilitation within the next eight weeks in Bradenton, Fla."I am recovering and excited about the potential of this procedure," said Dent, finished a year-end best No 29 in the ATP Rankings in 2005. "I hope to be back on the court in the next four or five months. The road back to the Top 30 in the world will be very tough and long but I am looking forward to starting my recovery."Dent, a winner of four career ATP titles, played in only four tournaments last year (1-4 record). His lone win came in Rotterdam over Tomas Berdych in February.Dent married WTA Tour player Jennifer Hopkins on Dec. 8, 2006.
