Aussie Olympics surf star opens up on her health battle after having seven screws inserted to expand her skull

Australian surfer Tyler Wright is struggling with balance issues after repeatedly hitting her head in the run-up to her Olympic debut.

The two-time world champion withdrew from the World Surf League event in Brazil three weeks ago over the issue.

Wright was sent to Australia for treatment ahead of the Paris Olympics which begin this month.

The 30-year-old underwent surgery during the off-season for a respiratory problem. The skull-enlargement surgery widened her previously narrow airways, making it difficult for her to get enough oxygen.

Wright, who has seven screws in her head, said her balance problems were related to the surgery.

“I’ve had a hard time adjusting this season, but that’s because I took a hit to the head and there’s still a lot of screws in my head,” Wright told reporters on Thursday.

‘But everything is going well, I’ve never felt so good in my entire life, so that’s incredible.

‘And I also recover very well, which has always been a problem for me.

The Australian surfer has suffered head blows on several occasions during her career

“I’ve been injured a few times this year. It’s been hard to push through some things. I was told to come home, rest, and get the treatment I needed.

“That’s what happens when you get hit in the head a few too many times. I had a little trouble with my balance.

‘I had one earlier this year, then I got another little knock. I have inner ear problems that started in November of last year.

‘It’s just my body making the adjustments, and when you have a skull augmentation (surgery), it also puts different pressure on your skull.

‘Also, the way my neck (works) has changed… it’s challenging, but it’s going well.’

Wright, whose brother Owen won bronze in surfing at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, predicted no health problems as she made her Olympic debut on the world-famous Teahupo’o wave in Tahiti.

She joins world number four Molly Picklum, as well as Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing on the Australian surfing team.

But mentally, Teahupo’o’s big breakthrough was a completely different story.

Seven screws had to be placed to enlarge her skull

“It’s one of those situations where it’s a wave of consequences. I’m not going to say I’m not scared — I am,” she said.

“And I’ve done a lot over the years to deal with that.”

Wright said she would adopt a simple mindset.

“I don’t think it’s that complicated: you either go or you don’t go, and that’s it,” she said.

‘And you make that decision in the moment, in those critical moments you trust your instinct, your intuition, and I don’t really think about it that much.

“The rest will unfold as it unfolds. As much as we would like to be in control, we are not.”