Mattek-Sands receives surprise gift from Aaron Rodgers

ROME, Italy - Bethanie Mattek-Sands has long been known for her love of Wisconsin football team the Green Bay Packers - even citing quarterback Aaron Rodgers as her dream mixed doubles partner back in 2013.

So when the American, on the comeback trail at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia following a horrific knee injury suffered at Wimbledon last year, received a surprise gift of a signed helmet with well wishes for her return from Rodgers, she was understandably emotional.

"You've always been an inspiration to me," Mattek-Sands addressed Rodgers. "I believe in me - and I feel like you believe in me too, so let's do this! 2018, here we go."

The 33-year-old, who fell to Alison Van Uytvanck in singles qualifying, is the No.5 seed in the doubles draw alongside Latisha Chan, and the pair's campaign starts today against Svetlana Kuznetsova and Karolina Pliskova.