Roger Federer announces retirement from Tennis after Laver Cup

 

I have been mentally preparing for this day for some time now. But turns out I was not ready for the official announcement today. 

It's not really a big shock or surprise at this point given he has already been away from the game for over a year, but just knowing that the last time we'll ever see him on any court is in a week's time at Laver Cup fills me with indescribable sadness. 

I started following Roger's career fairly late in the game, around the time Martina Hingis was retiring for the first time (2006-2007) basically at the height of his career. 

Or so I thought little did I know it was just beginning and we would have 15 years of greatness to look forward to.

The more I watched him the more I loved him, the elegance with which he played the way he moved as if almost floating on that court. 

The way he showed respect for his opponents and the sport itself, the love he showed his legions of fans, everything about him appealed to me. He is the embodiment of the Greatest of All Time (and no amount of tittles or accolades for his peers will ever make me think otherwise). 

I always thought he would give it one more go next year, and do a fair well tour of sorts, but understandably his body is telling him otherwise. 

Frankly I always thought he would play his last tournament in his home town of Basel where it all started for him, but it's fitting he's bowing out at a tournament he created with Rod Laver one of his greatest idols. 

He always said he wanted to end things while he's still able to do things with his kids like skiing, soccer, or some other sports he never got to take part in due to saving his body for tennis. 

There will undoubtedly be many new players with similar game that will grace us with their talents on the court over the years, but to me there will always be only one Roger Federer. 

Thank you Roger for your boundless talent, inspiration, grit, class, grace on and off the court, but most of all thank you for the memories, the moments of triumph and heartbreak I will never forget. 

Your love, respect and appreciation for the sport, it's history and your fans will be profoundly missed. 

The sport of Tennis will carry on, but it'll never be the same.

Agnieszka Radwanska announces retirement from professional tennis

Former World No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska has announced her retirement from professional tennis.

In a statement, the Pole said: "I'd like to share with you one of the most important decisions of my life. Today, after 13 years of playing tennis competitively, I have decided to end my career. This was not an easy decision. I am grateful to have so many special memories, including 20 WTA titles, the WTA Championships in Singapore, a Wimbledon final, and so many others.

"Unfortunately I am no longer able to train and play the way I used to, and recently my body can't live up to my expectations. Taking into consideration my health and the heavy burdens of professional tennis, I have to concede that I’m not able to push my body to the limits required."

Radwanska was the first Polish player to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era, and the first to win the WTA Finals. She was also voted the WTA Fan Favorite for six consecutive years.

She thanked her family and support team, and added: "I’m hanging the racquet up and say goodbye to the pro tour, but I’m not leaving tennis. Tennis is and always has been special in my life. But now it’s time for new challenges, new ideas, equally as exciting as those on the tennis court, I hope.

"Throughout my career, I always did my best to represent my country in the best possible way. I hope that my tennis matches were the source of emotions and joy for you all. Your support, warm words and faith in me were with me in every single match I played and this is what I’m thankful for. Thank you for every sleepless night in front of the TV and all those Fan Favorite awards – that was the biggest honour and best reward for my hard work. I am truly grateful for having the best and most loyal fans in all of tennis."

In all, Radwanska won 20 career WTA singles titles. In addition to her Wimbledon exploits, she reached the semifinals of the Australian Open twice, the quarterfinals of the French Open once, and also regularly featured in the second week of the US Open.

“Congratulations to Agnieszka on an outstanding career,” said WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon. “Agnieszka embodies the qualities that make a true champion, on the court delivering world class performances and incredible displays of athleticism, and off the court with her poise, professionalism and support for her fellow players. Agnieszka leaves a legacy on the game across the globe and on behalf of the WTA, she will truly be missed.”

wtatennis.com

Tennis will not be the same without you Aga, every match was always exciting to watch just for the sheer amount of incredible shots.  

There's a reason why the media dubbed you the Polish Ninja. Not only is this a huge loss for the sport of tennis itself, but for Polish tennis in particular. 

I think it's going to be a while before we have another player that can reach the elite level the way she did.  

Aga has always been compared to Martina Hingis for her similar style when it comes to net play, which is the biggest complement one can receive when it comes to the sport.  

With both of them retired now, I hope the new generation of players that come along adapt some of those same play qualities. It would be a real shame if that got completely lost.

Thank you for 13 years of  outstanding athleticism, and for representing your country with absolute grace and respect, you will be sorely missed on the WTA tour.  All the best in the new chapter ahead. 

Players say goodby to Kim Clijsters

Justine Henin says goodbye for good

Justine Henin has shocked the tennis world by retiring from the sport for a second time in her career.

The 28-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion announced her retirement on her official website yesterday, a serious right elbow injury cutting short the 'second career' she embarked on this time last year.

Addressing her fans in an emotional letter, Henin explained that following extensive medical tests doctors had advised her to stop playing professionally.

"I spent the last days undergoing various medical tests and they have confirmed that my elbow has been damaged by my adventure in Australia," she wrote, saying she had suffered a great deal of pain since crashing out in the third round of Australian Open 2011 to Svetlana Kuznetsova, but had believed her will power would carry her through.

"Today the examinations are clearly (sic) and the doctors formally my elbow is too fragile and hurt so that my passion and my profession at high level cannot continue to exist...It is now clear and I accept that my career here...finally ends. Even though it's hard, very hard, while I came back with tremendous fighting spirit."

With 43 WTA Tour titles, Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open, French and US Opens, and an Olympic Gold Medal to her name, Henin is one of the most successful female tennis players - and athletes - of all time. She injured her elbow in a fall during her fourth round loss to compatriot Kim Clijsters in the fourth round at Wimbledon last year.

The Belgian first retired on May 14, 2008 when ranked No.1 in the world, her long-time coach Carlos Rodriguez explaining: "Tennis became more than just winning for Justine and just winning wasn't enough for her anymore."

This time retirement was out of the famously strong-willed players hands. "After my crash at Wimbledon in June, I knew it would be difficult to come back. But I had decided to keep playing and to give everything to overcome the injury," wrote Henin on justine-henin.be.

"In these recent months I have rarely been spared from the pain, those last months were very hard. Time has passed and the doubts have grown and only return to the courts would give me answers. Not the answer I was hoping for...unfortunately.

"I'm in shock, of course, even with the work of these past seven months I had to understand there might be a reason for all this...I'm sorry...I had hoped for a different return and dreamed of a different ending.

Thanks for standing by my side during all these years. I will never forget your support and your loyalty."

WTA Tour CEO Stacey Allaster paid tribute to Henin's career saying: "We have all been fortunate to once again have had the opportunity to witness the beauty of her game during these many past months, and no doubt we will miss seeing her on court competing like only Justine can. Justine Henin will go down as one of the greatest female athletes of her era." 

australianopenwebsite

Well, what can you say I sort of said it all the first time she retired back in May of '08.  Except this time it seems even sadder, because it really looks to be for good.

Ending it in the worst possible way too, ending it on your own terms is always better then being forced to do so due to an injury.

Goodbye Justine, thanks for all the craftsmanship and excitement you brought to tennis over the years.  Good luck in whatever endeavours you wish to undertake, the tennis world will undoubtedly miss you.

You can read the entire letter Justine wrote to her fans on her official website.

Martina Hingis says no to 2nd career comeback

Former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis will not return to the WTA Tour once her doping ban ends.

The 27-year-old Swiss retired in November last year following a positive test for cocaine at Wimbledon.

She is currently serving a two-year ban from competitive tennis and has always denied taking drugs.

On the issue of a possible return, Hingis told BBC Radio Merseyside: "No, tennis has been my life but there is life after tennis."

Hingis, who has retired once before, added that she is adapting well to life away from the Tour.

"I don't really miss all the travelling and spending time in hotel rooms. It's nice to be at home with the family.

"There comes a time when I really feel like I have to move, because sport has always been a big part of my life.

"When you don't have that you get a little nervous and think, OK I have to go and do something."

She is playing an exhibition match at the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament against Jana Novotna - a repeat of the 1997 Wimbledon final.

Hingis was victorious that day to become the youngest ever champion at the All England Club.

The five-time Grand Slam winner added that it is a day she will always remember.

"It is a memory that will last forever with me, probably more today than when I was holding up the plate.

"You look at the photos today and I think 'wow I was really so young'."

Source

Well, I can't say I'm surprised with her answer. As sad as I am about her not returning to the tour, it's good to finally know the answer once and for all.

Although a part of me was hoping (and will probably always hope) that she changes her mind. What can I say?, I'm hopeless lol.

But, I guess like she said in the article it's time for her to move on. I'm glad she's at least continuing to give back by playing in charity exhibitions.

This way she'll never be completely away from the sport and it still gives her fans a chance to see her once in a while.

I just wish those exhibitions were more widely covered *sigh*.

Anyway, I have no doubt that whatever endeavours she decides to undertake (coaching perhaps?) she will be just as successful as she has been in her tennis career.

Martina Hingis blames boredom for retiring

Jun 9 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

MARTINA HINGIS reckons the boredom of the professional tennis circuit is forcing female players to take early retirement.

The Swiss champion, who takes part in the legends exhibition at the Tradition-ICAP Liverpool International Tennis Tournament which starts tomorrow, became the youngest Wimbledon champion since Merseyside’s Lottie Dod took the title in 1887.

Her centre court triumph at the age of 16 was the second of five Grand Slam titles she won before she was 19 and Hingis looked set to dominate women’s tennis for years to come.

However, she quit the game at just 22 and after a brief comeback, gave up competitive tennis completely last year at the age of 27.

Other recent high profile retirements include Kim Clijsters, who turned 25 yesterday but has been out of the game for more than a year, and last month fellow Belgian Justine Henin announced her decision to quit, also at the age of 25 and after seven Grand Slam wins.

And Hingis has pinpointed why so many successful players have had enough by their mid-20s.

“Tennis takes a lot out of you,” she said. “People think it is a very glamorous lifestyle, which in some ways it is.

“But it can also be tiring travelling from city to city around the world for most of the year.

“But girls tend to start their careers very young so by the time you have reached your mid-20s, you could have been on the tour for 10 years already.

“Of course, if you are successful you can earn a good living. You also get to do something you love every day and bring enjoyment to other people.

“The negative side is that it can become quite tiring with all the travel and you have to be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices to get to the top.

“You don’t really have a normal teenage life, you spend those years on tour so you have to grow up very quickly.”

Read the entire article

I think she's definitely right when saying boredom and especially exhaustion are the main causes of so many young players retiring so early on in their careers (in fact I've been saying the same thing myself for years).

Glad to see Hingis still enjoys the sport despite all the negative stuff it has brought her recently.

And, I'm sure it'll be a joy for many fans to see her play as well, even if it is just in exhibitions (who knows once her drug ban is over perhaps she'll decide to give it another go). I just hope that at least some of those exhibition matches will be televised.

World #1 Justine Henin retires from the WTA!!

Well, the Tennis world suffered a crashing blow today. The current world number one women's player Justine Henin, has announced permanent retirement from the sport.

I have to say I am completely stunned. Usually players who are at the top want to ride that wave for as long as they can before calling it quits.

The cited reason for her ending her career was lack of motivation. Which can be a very valid point when it comes to Tennis, but the conspiracy theorist in me finds it hard to believe that's her only reason.

I think the constant grind and heavy schedule might have had something to do with it as well.

Long term it can be quite physically taxing (even for the best athlete). Whatever the reason, we'll probably never know the truth since Justine is an extremely private person.

I'm sure I've mentioned this in the past, but I'll say it again, I really think the WTA needs to make some major adjustments in terms of the schedule and perhaps even the conditioning of the players or unfortunately we will continue to lose players the likes of Justine or even Roger Federer, early on in their careers.

Some of you might be thinking that I need to accept that the days of players sticking around well into their 30's are long over and you may be partly right.

But, I stand by my earlier statement that there's a lot that still can be done in terms of schedules and conditioning (more then is being done) to improve things so that player's don't wear themselves out by their mid 20's.

Even though I can't really say I've been a true fan of Justine, (at least not to the same level as Martina Hingis).

I've always admired her style of play and thought that she was quite a legend in her own right (with all her accomplishments). And such a breath of fresh air, from the constant onslaught of power players (like Serena or Venus).

We've lost so many great veteran pros in the past year first Martina then Kim, and now Justine. It's very sad.

Her retirement does open a big door of opportunities in terms of Grand Slams for all the current player's on tour as well as future hopefuls. Not to mention the spot for #1 ranking.

As I've said above though this is a huge loss for women's Tennis and she will undoubtedly be sorely missed by the sport and it's players. I suppose if you are gonna bow out there's no better way to do that then while still on top.

Hingis retires once more:(

Well, I can't say I was shocked when I heard Martina Hingis is hanging up her racket for the second time in her career. I knew this day would come again I just didn't think it would be so soon.

The drug allegations however definitely give me a pause, and for the record no I do not believe they're true. She's always been too respectable a player, and worked too hard to end her career in such a way. I believe in her innocence and I honestly think someone is trying to set her up.

Hell, Hingis didn't even have to leak any of this information to the press on the same day in the first place, but felt she had to to prove her innocence.

Having read several articles with statements from Hingis I really can't say I blame her for wanting to retire ( her physical ailments aside), who wants to deal with drug allegations under constants scrutiny of the press every single day for what I would guess at this point could be years.

As she states in one of the articles it's not exactly a great motivational factor. This is a very sad day for tennis the sport is once again loosing one of it's greatest competitors. The brilliance Hingis displayed on court is unmatched and will no doubt be missed by her fans and by everyone at the WTA.

Hingis retirement rumors rise again

What's with all this retirement talk again?, every time she withdraws from a tournament without citing a reason people automatically go to retirement.

Didn't Hingis say in a recent interview she was not even entertaining that thought?. In fact I think it was in this interview.

Personally I think due to being in a bit of a rut professionally she's simply mentally exhausted and needs some time to regroup and re-energize.

I've read that she's planning on playing in Zurich in mid October, so we'll see how things go. In any case I definitely think we'll be seeing her next year, she put in too much work in 2006 to quit again.

And unless her physical injuries get much worse, (which I don't think they will or have as some have been debating), she'll be sticking around for a while yet.

I mean, hell why shouldn't she?. Davenport came back after her supposed retirement (after becoming a mother and nagging physical injuries).

And she's totally kicking butt at the moment!. Who knows? maybe Lindsay will inspire others (like Kim Clijsters for instance) to make her comeback as well.

If there's one thing I've learned about this sport it's that nothing is impossible and to never rule things out.

Kim makes it official

Well this is my first bit of tennis news for the month and unfortunately it's of the sad variety. In the past I have said how sad it'll be when Kim Clijster's retires after Wimbledon.

Well it seems that day arrived sooner then expected. On Sunday night Kim announced on her website that she's retiring from professional tennis effective immediately, due to her chronic back, knee and wrist injuries.

It's really tragic to see a player who's only 23 years old retire so early. And it once again makes me question the grueling schedule the players are forced to keep throughout the year. I really hope something is done about that in the future, or there will be a lot more early retirements to come.

I think it's safe to say that her comradery with all the WTA players, her unique style of play and high but friendly competitiveness will be sorely missed on tour. And I will certainly miss her rivalry with Martina Hingis.

Goodbye Kim, I wish you much success in all your personal endeavors. You will be missed:(.

Read the related article

Lindsay Davenport pregnant, plans to retire

I have to say I was surprised when I read this, but at the same time it makes sense she's in her thirties so it's a good time to start a family.

Plus with those nagging injuries she had all this year it's very unlikely she would have played much longer. I was never really a Davenport fan but I will definitely miss her simply as Martina's greatest rival.

Click here to read a related article.

Martina Navratilova to retire after this year

Well, one of the all time greats in women's tennis Martina Navratilova says she's had enough and is ready for retirement at the end of this year.

Of course that's what she said in '94 and then came back in 2000 lol. But she says this is definite and that she will be retiring from playing professional tennis this year.

It's amazing I've never met a woman who almost at the age of fifty is still able to play doubles as great as she has. The woman is nothing if not dedicated.

Here is an article confirming the news from The Toronto Star

Andre Agassi announces retirement

http://www.steveladner.com/corporate/pages/Andre%20Agassi.htm


Well, looks like both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open will be extra special this year. It will be the last time Andre Agassi plays tennis. He announced on Friday that he is retiring after this years U.S. Open. Now I really have reason to watch both tournaments.

Here is an article from TSN confirming the news:
http://www.tsn.ca/tennis/news_story/?ID=169575&hubname=tennis