Men's retirements

[Brinyi]

Injury could force retirement - Cheery Jiri

March 07 2006 at 06:19PM

Prague - Czech tennis ace Jiri Novak, once ranked the world's fifth best mens singles player, is considering retirement unless a five-month old ankle injury improves soon, Czech news agency CTK reported on Tuesday.

"Unfortunately I must think about it, (retirement). At my age, time is getting on. When you do nothing for a few months, a comeback becomes practically impossible," he said.

Novak, speaking from his Florida home, said he will make every effort to return to the game and is undergoing daily physiotherapy.

But he added: "I unfortunately have the feeling it is not helping much."

The Czech player, who will be 31 this month, already mentioned the possibility of retiring last year.

Novak has not played since September 2005. During his career he notched up seven ATP singles titles and two doubles titles, reached the semifinals of the Austrian Open in 2002 and was for many years the Czech number one player and Davis Cup first choice.

- Sapa-AFP

[shenaynay]

That sucks, I liked his game. But, not surprising.

[Brinyi]

shenaynay said:

That sucks, I liked his game. But, not surprising.

Jiri was too cool. I know Lurker will be devastated.

I still remember his "What? You want me to cry all the time?" when a reporter said he didn't look very disappointed after a loss. And his admission after a choke in Toronto that his arm was shaking.

[Brinyi]

And his whooping of Sampras in DC, in the USA, indoors.

[Brinyi]

GAUDIO CONSIDERS QUITTING

Argentinian Gaston Gaudio has admitted he is considering retirement after his second round exit to Kristof Vliegen at the Nasdaq-Open 100.

The 27-year-old lost 7-5 7-6 (8-6) to the Belgian just days after pulling out of his country's crucial Davis Cup game against Croatia.

Gaudio told captain Alberto Mancini not to name him in the squad because he does not feel prepared enough to represent Argentina.

And after his exit in Miami he said: "Every day I think about retirement."

This year Gaudio reached the third round of the Australian Open and is currently 36th in the Champions Race.

In 2004 he won the French Open title after beating countryman Guillermo Coria in a gruelling five-set final.

[DBBN]

TOMPA

Thomas Enqvist Announces Retirement

“Unfortunately my body doesn’t allow me to compete on the top-level anymore,” Enqvist told Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.

The 32-year-old Swede, who turned pro in 1989, made up his mind about a week ago after having played an exhibition tournament in River Oaks, Houston. His ankle joints, back and shoulder have troubled him lately.

“I would be able to get along reasonably but I’m not interested in that. My driving force has always been the feeling to be able to win tournaments and when the body no longer has what it takes I had no choice.”

Enqvist won 19 ATP titles thorough his career, his first coming in Bolzano in 1992. His last event on ATP level was in October last year in Lyon where he lost in the second round to Mario Ancic. He also played the ATP Challenger events in Bratislava (QF) and Luxemburg (SF). He has compiled a 448-297 career singles record.

“Four of my six surgeries came when I was ranked in the top 10 so I never really got the chance to ride the wave of success. The injury setbacks came when I was playing at my best,” says Enqvist, who regards his three ATP Masters Series titles and the 1996-1997 Davis Cup finals as his biggest achievement.

With 19 career titles Enqvist ranks No. 4 in Sweden behind Bjorn Borg, Stefan Edberg and Mats Wilander. He reached No. 4 in the INDESIT ATP Rankings in 1999, a year where he made the Australian Open final (l. to Kafelnikov). The Swede finished the year in the Top 10 on four occasions.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years. There are many persons who have meant very much to me.”

“I’ve been living with tennis all my life so right now it feels empty. Maybe I will try something completely different or I will continue within tennis. It’s tough to say until I’ve got some perspective on the fact that I’ve actually quit.”

www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2006/enqvist_retires.asp

[Brinyi]

[:rolleyes:]

I saw one of tompa's last matches at the 2005 River Oaks tournament. He got owned by Michael Russell

[Brinyi]

Spain's Al Costa announces retirement
Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:59 PM BST

MADRID, April 21 (Reuters) - Spain's Albert Costa, the 2002 French Open champion, said on Friday he would retire after playing the Barcelona Open next week.

"I have decided to call an end to my career. I have achieved all the objectives and dreams I set myself," Costa told a news conference.

"This tournament is a special one for me and one where I know they would like to see me play once again."

The 30-year-old has competed at the Barcelona Open on 13 consecutive occasions, winning it in 1997.

Costa was part of Spain's Davis Cup winning team in 2000 but his big moment came at Roland Garros four years ago when he beat compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in four sets to win the French Open.

[DBBN]

Lord, JCF. You should be a two-time champ. Ugh.

[Lee]

Good luck to Tompa and Albert Costa after their retirement.

[janie]

I liked Al. I rooted for Al. Bye, Al!

[Brinyi]

hurley said:

Lord, JCF. You should be a two-time champ. Ugh.

Al and JCF have amazingly won two matches and will play each other in the 3R. I hope Al proves RG was no fluke.

[janie]

[DBBN]

brinyi said:

Al and JCF have amazingly won two matches

EACH??!?!?!

[Brinyi]

(10)J Ferrero (ESP) a (WC)A Costa (ESP) 61 57 75

Adios Al Costa! He went out fighting at least. And I guess RG was a fluke.

[Grarliner]

hurley said:

Lord, JCF. You should be a two-time champ. Ugh.

THECOSTASLAM2 might beg to differ ...

[molala]

Bye bye Al

[Brinyi]

Retraite Nicolas Escudé - «mon Corps A DIT Stop»

He announced his retirement this morning in Paris after shoulder injuries that have bothered him the past few years.

"It's not me who is deciding to quit, but my body. I had a shoulder operation two years ago. Everyone -- the medical staff and me -- expected that I could return at the beginning of this year. But since then there has been no improvement.

"In my career my goals have been to win the davis Cup and a Slam. I achieved one out of two. I'm disappointed, but I can still be proud of my accomplishments.

"For now I will contunue as a consultant for L'Equipe TV, L'Equipe.fr and Eurosport, for whom I will be working Roland Garros. After that I'm open to any possibilities."

A toast to SQD! (clink)

[molala]

Scude!!! A Slam?? He never even came close.

[Brinyi]

molala said:

Scude!!! A Slam?? He never even came close.

I think AO semis was the best he did? Lost to Chino?

[Brinyi]

Australian Open Australia 1998

128 W Magnus LARSSON (SWE) 5-7 4-6 7-5 6-1 10-8
64 W Gustavo KUERTEN (BRA) 5-7 6-3 6-1 7-5
32 W Richey RENEBERG (USA) 1-6 6-7(0) 6-2 7-5 6-4
16 W Todd WOODBRIDGE (AUS) 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2
QF W Nicolas KIEFER (GER) 4-6 3-6 6-4 6-1 6-2
SF L Marcelo RIOS (CHI) 1-6 3-6 2-6

Plus a USO QF and a Wimby QF. Not too shabby, I guess.

[molala]

Wow, I've forgotten about that. Not too shabby, yes. Bye bye, Scude!! I hope I see him at RG. I'm going to the first two days hoping to catch an Oli match on the outside courts .

[Brinyi]

molala said:

Wow, I've forgotten about that. Not too shabby, yes. Bye bye, Scude!! I hope I see him at RG. I'm going to the first two days hoping to catch an Oli match on the outside courts .

Woohoo! Have a good time and let us know how it goes.

[molala]

Will do!

[Brinyi]

Corretja Calls Time on Professional Career

Alex Corretja, who won tennis’ circuit-ending finale (now known as the Tennis Masters Cup) in 1998 and soon after soared to World No. 2 in the INDESIT ATP Rankings, officially announced his retirement from professional tennis during Spain’s Davis Cup play-off tie against Italy in Santander on Saturday.

Corretja, a two-time winner of the ATP’s sportsmanship award, also was considered one of the most charismatic and charming players to ever grace the ATP circuit.

“I am retiring with the tranquility that I have given 100 per cent all the time,” said 32-year-old Corretja, who has struggled to overcome an eye injury. “I am very proud of what I have achieved, and I am happy and content with my tennis career.

“I appreciate the recognition people still show to me. I think this is very special. I have been very happy being a tennis player and would like to take this opportunity to thank the tournament directors and ATP for their support throughout my career.”

During his 16-season professional career, Corretja served on the ATP Player Council in 1996-97 and 2002-03. It was during his role as President in 1997-98 that he had the most instrumental impact on the ATP circuit as he was among the players who led the charge to implement the STARS Program, an ATP program whereby players make themselves readily available to media, sponsors and broadcasters. The STARS Program often is credited with infusing the ATP with its fan-friendly, media-friendly environment.

“Alex Corretja embodied everything a ‘star’ stands for: class, integrity, charm, enthusiasm, hard work, commitment and great sportsmanship,” said Horst Klosterkemper, ATP CEO, Europe. “On behalf of all his friends at the ATP, we wish him the best of luck and hope that he remains very involved in tennis and the ATP.”

Corretja captured 17 ATP singles and three doubles titles, with his first title in Buenos Aires in 1994. His last ATP event was in April 2005 in Estoril, Portugal, where he lost in the first round to compatriot Feliciano Lopez. He compiled a 438-281 career singles record.

In 1998, Corretja became the first Spaniard since Manuel Orantes in 1976 to win the ATP World Championships, the predecessor to the Tennis Masters Cup (to be played Nov. 12-19 in Shanghai). He won two ATP Masters Series events (1997-Rome; 2001-Indian Wells).

Corretja was twice a Roland Garros finalist (1998, 2001) and helped Spain win its first ever Davis Cup title over Australia in 2000. He finished in the Top 10 of the INDESIT ATP Rankings in 1998 and 2000, placing a career-high No. 2 on February 1, 1999.

In 1996 and 1998, Corretja was voted by his playing peers as the winner of the ATP’s Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award.

[Tennislurker]

2002

last time alex was good

[:rolleyes:]

why did jiri novak come back for the USOPen?

[Brinyi]

PARIS, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Marat Safin said in a newspaper interview that he plans to retire from tennis in 2010.

"2010 will be my last season," the two-time Grand Slam champion said in an interview published Wednesday by sports daily L'Equipe.

"I will be 30 years old and it will be time to move on to something completely different."

LOL, I now expect an announcement from Donald Young that he will retire in 2020

[Brinyi]

Lee announces retirement

Martin Lee, 28, has announced his retirement from the sport. Lee reached 94 in the ATP world rankings in 2002, but was dogged by injuries later in his career.

"I've always felt that if I ever stopped playing tennis then it'd be time to stop," he said of the decision. "The injuries have taken their toll over the last six months. I haven't been enjoying playing as much as before."

Lee reached one ATP event final, in Newport in 2001, and played against Tim Henman and Pete Sampras on centre court at Wimbledon in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

"Reaching the final in Newport was definitely my most memorable week on tour," he said. "I was having real problems with my knee then so couldn't even practise.

"I was ranked about 130 going into that week and moved up to 103 afterwards which meant I gained acceptance into the US Open on the back of that.

"I beat James Blake in the semis but lost to Neville Godwin in the final."

This is not the end of the road for Lee in the world of tennis, however.

"I definitely want to go into coaching," he said. "I have a lot of experience from 12 years on tour.

"I'd like to help our better juniors and I feel I know what it takes because I've been there."