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Post by Brinyi on Nov 28, 2006 13:20:29 GMT -5
Retired Czech tennis star Jiri Novak looks back on long career [28-11-2006] By Ian Willoughby A special prize was presented to Jiri Novak on Saturday, at the Golden Canary awards for Czech tennis player of the year. The award was in recognition of all that Novak achieved during a long professional career, which recently came to an end when he played his last tournament, the Swiss Indoors in Basle. Novak, a man for whom family comes first, said he was retiring at 31 to spend more time at home - and because of persistent injuries. Now he has hung up his racket, the Zlin-born player has had an opportunity to reflect on his career. Looking back, what does Jiri Novak regard as his greatest success? "It's impossible to say in one sentence, because it includes everything from the tournaments I won at junior level to the Masters Cup, which features the best eight players in the world. 2002, when I reached the Masters and the semi-final of the Australian Open, was probably my best year. That was my happiest period in tennis." While singles tennis is of course an individual sport, Novak also appreciated any chance to represent the Czech Republic in team competitions. "I was at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Atlanta and Athens - that really made a deep impression. And the Davis Cup ties I was involved in were really important to me. Relatively speaking, I had a very positive record in the Davis Cup. I really enjoyed team events." However, despite his own good record, Jiri Novak never got to experience any notable success with the Czech national team. "I always wanted to win something with the national team - either in the Davis Cup or at the Olympics. That never happened, but I leave with my head held high. I appreciate my career all the more when I think back to the conditions I experienced as a young player, and my first times playing abroad at the age of 15. I don't take it as 'I could have won more'...thank God what happened, happened. I was fifth in the world - I had a great career." And finally, what does Jiri Novak think the sport of tennis gave him? And what did it take away? "It gave me a great general overview - I had to look after myself from a young age, learn a new language...But on the other hand it took away my childhood. Puberty is a time when you want to go out, go to the disco, but I couldn't. That said, I take it positively, I was never a disco type anyway. So I don't see it as me losing something - on the contrary, it just helped me in life."
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Post by janie on Nov 28, 2006 20:06:53 GMT -5
So long, unDisco Jiri
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Post by Brinyi on Jan 8, 2007 21:02:21 GMT -5
Arnaud Di Pasquale has retired due to repeated injuries at age 27. He was the 2000 Olympic bronze medalist (beating Federer) and won one title in Palermo.
"All my life I've tried to be as honest and sincere as possible. I couldn"t lie to myself any more. I understood it the end. Really the end."
Good luck to DiP, who will get married in the coming months.
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Post by janie on Jan 10, 2007 12:56:38 GMT -5
Rats! When I saw there was a new post in the retirements thread, I was hoping it would be about Hewitt.
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Post by Tennislurker on Mar 29, 2007 18:52:37 GMT -5
SJENG SCHALKEN ENDS HIS TENNIS-CAREER 29 March 2007 Maastricht, March 29th 2007
Top tennis player Sjeng Schalken has officially announced the end of his professional tennis career at the press conference of the Ordina Open tournament.
The 30-year-old Dutch player has been coping with injuries since 2005. As a result he is no longer capable to play the game of tennis at the top level he aims for.
Sjeng Schalken reviews his successful and professional tennis-career with complete satisfaction despite the fact he would have liked to play at the highest level of the game for several years more.
“My body has forced me to retire. The first symptoms became apparent at the Davis Cup in Maastricht and I have not quite been the same ever since. After six months it turned out that I had been playing with some kind of dormant type of the Pfeiffer disease. During that time of strain, I continued to play my matches without even knowing I had the disease in me and suffered a hernia injury in my lower back as a result. This injury causes that I cannot load my body to the fullest anymore. Too much strain causes functions in my left leg to break down. So I have ceased my exercises and am now training my body in a more relaxing manner. However, I feel it is a pity that my career has declined in such a way, only at the age of 27. That is too soon considering the ambitions I still had. My hunger for new titles and a second week of GrandSlams had not even diminished one bit. Scoring those results gives you the ultimate thrill.”
Sjeng Schalken can look back to a successful career, which counts many highlights. For instance, 9 titles in the singles game, 6 in the double, 3 times quarter finalist at Wimbledon, a semi- and quarter final position at the US Open and two-time winner of the Ordina Open. For ten years he has been ranked in the top 100 of the ATP, 4 of which he was ranked in the top 20, with a highest ranking on no. 11. As one of few top tennis players, Schalken managed to win an ATP-title in both every continent and on every surface.
“I would like to thank my buddy and wife Ricky for being steady as a rock; we make a great team. But also my parents who have always supported my dream of becoming a top tennis player in the most relaxing way. Especially grandfather and grandmother Schalken too for investing so much of their time and energy in me by taking me to every youth tournament and training. I owe great thanks to my trainers and counsellors Henk van Hulst, Alex Reinders and Willem Jan van Hulst. My medical counsellors Ries Segers, Andre van Alphen, Babette Pluim, Erik van Kasteren, Jan Naaktgeboren. And finally my loyal sponsors Nike, Dunlop, Staalbankiers, Ordina and my business counsellors Marcel Hunze and Peter Lawler, the press for the open and good relationship and especially all the fans.”
After ending his tennis career Sjeng Schalken will put his effort into his own clothing brand Sjengsports, together with his wife Ricky. This brand can, among others, be viewed at the Ordina Open, where all of the ball boys and girls as well as the groundsmen will be dressed in clothing from the Sjengsports collection. (www.sjengsports.nl.)
Lol, at sjengsports and being married to a woman named Ricky
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Post by Tennislurker on Mar 29, 2007 19:11:54 GMT -5
Kids wearing sjeng clothes
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Post by Tennislurker on Mar 29, 2007 20:19:04 GMT -5
I am watching some clips from a geezer tournament, ferreira leconte, mcenroe are there, they look very good, like they could still beat some top 100 players
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Post by Brinyi on Apr 10, 2007 8:18:35 GMT -5
Rusedski retires after Davis Cup
By AP
BIRMINGHAM, England -- Former U.S. Open finalist Greg Rusedski retired from tennis yesterday.
The 33-year-old Rusedski, who was born in Canada but has represented Britain since 1995, quit after winning a Davis Cup doubles match.
"It was a proud moment as it's going to be my last match," said Rusedski, who lost to Patrick Rafter in the 1997 U.S. Open. "I'm officially retiring on a win today."
Rusedski and Jamie Murray, the younger brother of Andy Murray, beat Robin Haase and Rogier Wassen of the Netherlands 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) to give Britain a 3-0 lead and send the team into the World Group playoffs.
"I would like to thank all the fans for supporting me for 13 years playing Davis Cup for the country. I'd like to thank Jamie for carrying me through the doubles today," Rusedski said.
Rusedski had only played once before this year -- losing in the first round in Sarajevo earlier this month.
He said he considered waiting until after Wimbledon to retire.
"There's always a temptation but I know the work it takes and the sacrifices," Rusedski said. "I felt I had given everything and there was no more to give. My family is the most important thing for me now."
Rusedski, whose highest ranking was No. 4 in 1997, said he wanted to spend more time with his wife Lucy and daughter Scarlett, who was born in January 2006.
Rusedski was born in Montreal and began representing Britain, the birthplace of his mother, four years after turning professional.
The left-hander won 15 singles titles on the ATP tour, including the 1998 Paris Masters. Aside from the 1997 U.S. Open, the only other time he advanced past the fourth round at a Grand Slam was at Wimbledon the same year, when he lost in the quarters.
In 2004, he was cleared of a doping offence after a contaminated drink provided by ATP trainers led him to fail a test in July 2003.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 10, 2007 9:01:21 GMT -5
I wonder if Sjengster1 and 2 are sad about Sjeng. I kind of am. He was pretty cool.
I KNOW they are both sad about Rusexy!
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Post by sasha on Oct 10, 2007 14:29:48 GMT -5
Carlsen Retires from ATP Circuit in Stockholm
Dane Kenneth Carlsen (pictured) retired from the ATP circuit after making a first round exit at the If Stockholm Open on Wednesday. Swedish wild card Michael Ryderstedt beat the 34-year-old 6-3, 7-6(4) in 79 minutes.
He will compete in his final professional event on the ATP Challenger circuit next week at Kolding, Denmark.
During his 16-season professional career, Carlsen won three career ATP singles titles and finished runner-up in four finals.
In 1998, at his 135th career event, he won his first ATP title in Hong Kong (d. B. Black) to become first Dane to win an ATP title in Open Era. He also won at Tokyo in September 2002 (d. Norman) and Memphis in February 2005 (d. Mirnyi).
The left-handed Carlsen rose to a career-high No. 41 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings on June 7, 1993). He compiled a 266-288 career singles record.
Carlsen has expressed an interest in pursuing a TV broadcasting career.
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Post by Brinyi on Oct 10, 2007 15:26:42 GMT -5
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Post by Brinyi on Nov 30, 2007 16:11:58 GMT -5
Gaudio will not retire from tennis, and says he will be back next year. He will start on the challenger circuit in either Florida or South America.
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Post by Brinyi on Feb 1, 2008 13:17:37 GMT -5
Former world number nine Joachim Johansson has announced his retirement from professional tennis because of a persistent shoulder injury.
"I can practice and play an individual tournament but after that my shoulder gets overworked," Johansson explained.
"That forces me to rest for a longer period of time and, taking that into account, it's hard for me to reach my objectives.
"For that reason it makes it impossible for me to continue my challenge."
"Now I'll set myself new goals but whatever happens I'll always continue to play tennis."
(Good luck to the Evil Swede!)
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Post by Brinyi on Mar 5, 2008 14:57:22 GMT -5
Its been a long twelve months for me since my last match at the US Open. Three surgeries in eleven months have put away any hopes of coming back to the pro tour. I appreciate all your emails and support over my recovery in the hopes I could get back out there, but as you can imagine, it looks like things are coming to an end. Its been a wonderful road out there on tour and I definitely miss the travel and competing for a living. Now onto the next step...which has become its own problem. I gave myself a year to adjust to the 'real' world so I would not jump into a desk job and be unhappy (its tough being indoors at a desk when you're used too being outside for years playing tennis). I've taken some time to understand myself and what I'd like to do next...so now its a matter of finding the right opportunity. I'm trying to be patient but I'm ready to get started as I've never been one to sit still. With a background at the University of Virginia in finance and business management, I feel like there are lots of places where I could succeed.
In the meantime, I've been teaching some tennis in Atlanta to help the local community a bit, and also working out with Robby Ginepri since he's out on the tour. Real Estate will continue to be something I do as a hobby on the side but now I'm ready for a new challenge. I'll let you know how it goes...
-- B.Vahaly
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Post by Brinyi on May 9, 2008 13:01:30 GMT -5
Gaudio: I'll be back Gaston Gaudio has confirmed he has not retired from tennis but will not return until he has the confidence to do so. The 2004 French Open champion, who has not played since January, commented after playing an exhibition match in Mendoza that although he is not training he has not hung up his racquet just yet. The 29-year-old told the Los Andes newspaper: "I am not retired yet. I will return as soon as I am able enough to do things properly." Gaudio lost the two matches he has played this year, first a 6-0 6-3 defeat to Japan's Kei Kishikori in Miami and then 6-3 6-0 to Spaniard Santiago Ventura in Vina del Mar. His last victory was in September, 7-6 6-4 over the Czech Republic's Tomas Zib in Szczecin, Poland. He admits that in his current circumstance, "everything has to do with my mentality" and he is enjoying a well-earned period of rest. He said: "I have been playing for more than 15 years and I am getting . That is why I should do things well if I want to return. I do not want to waste time. "I am enjoying playing football, going out with friends, doing things I was unable to do in the past but are normal for any other person."
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Post by janie on May 10, 2008 18:51:15 GMT -5
It was nice of you to e-mail your support to Vahaly, Brinyi. Did you e-mail daily, or just weekly? ;D
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Post by DBBN on May 11, 2008 1:11:50 GMT -5
Aww Brian. Nice guy.
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 23, 2008 12:37:59 GMT -5
Bye Bye Bjösse !!!!
BJORKMAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLAN
Swedish tennis star Jonas Bjorkman is to retire at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old is a former world number one in doubles, having claimed titles at each of the four grand slam tournaments, nine in total, including five with Australian star Todd Woodbridge.
The pair were victorious at Wimbledon in 2002, 2003 and 2004, where Bjorkman also reached the singles semi-final in 2006.
Bjorkman said: "I've been reflecting on my professional career and I have decided that this will be my last Wimbledon.
"At the age of 36 I now feel it is time to begin the next chapter of my life, being at home with my family and pursuing other interests.
"Winning Davis Cup, reaching number four in the world in singles, number one in doubles, earning nine career grand slam doubles titles, playing the Wimbledon semi-final at the age of 34, and, last but not least, winning the Stockholm Open in front of my home crowd are just some of my finest memories.
"I have been blessed with a long and successful career and I look forward to another great experience here at Wimbledon, for my last time as a competitor.
"I also look forward to the rest of my 2008 season, which hopefully will include the Olympic Games in Beijing.
"It would be the most incredible way to finish my career if I could win a medal for Sweden."
Bjorkman also reached the final of the mixed doubles in 1999 and 2007, as well as reaching the semi-final of the US Open singles in 1997.
He was a member of the Sweden team which won consecutive Davis Cups in 1997 and 1998.
Bjorkman is seeded eighth along with partner Kevin Ullyett in this year's Wimbledon, facing Australian duo Paul Hanley and Todd Perry in the first round.
He faces fellow veteran Arnaud Clement of France in the first round of the singles.
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Post by Brinyi on Nov 14, 2008 9:15:47 GMT -5
ATP Tour - Bjorkman calls time on career Fri, 14 Nov 10:29:00 2008 Jonas Bjorkman brought the curtain down on his 17-year career in professional tennis after bowing out of the Masters Cup doubles. The 36-year-old Swede, who won nine grand slam doubles titles and was once ranked number four in the world in singles, had announced at Wimbledon earlier this year that he would retire at the end of the season. "It's great to end my career in the biggest event of the year, even if I would have liked to have gone further. But you can't have everything," he said after he and Zimbabwean partner Kevin Ullyett were beaten 6-2 1-6 10-6 by Poles Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski. "I've been mentally prepared for this because I'm mentally very ready to retire. I've been very fortunate to be able to play for so long. It started as my hobby, and I've been able to do it for 17 years, which is great." Bjorkman, a Wimbledon singles semi-finalist just two years ago, won a total of $14,567,823 in prize money over his career and three Davis Cups with his country in 1994, 1997, and 1998. "I would probably say winning the Davis Cup was something that was huge to be part of," said the popular Swede, who won six career singles and 54 doubles titles. "I was very proud to be representing my country." Defeat in the last four of the US Open singles in 1997 was his biggest regret, he said. "Obviously losing to Greg Rusedski in the semi-final was a tough loss because I think that was a chance for me maybe to go all the way." Bjorkman, who is going to dedicate his time to editing a Swedish tennis magazine, said he would miss the locker room banter but not the constant travel of the tour. "I think the umpires are not going to miss me," he said. "I've been quite tough on those guys." Reuters ~~~~~~~~~ CLINK ~~~~~~~~~~
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Post by Brinyi on Nov 14, 2008 13:26:53 GMT -5
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Post by janie on Nov 15, 2008 7:19:03 GMT -5
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Post by GoDom on Nov 15, 2008 10:26:50 GMT -5
I have this clip on an old videotape somewhere but without some morons talking over it. I hope you guys remember these players because it's absolutely spot on: de.youtube.com/watch?v=HRjLaL7XFYcHe will be missed.
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Post by leelee on Nov 15, 2008 15:51:43 GMT -5
Gustafsson and Sanchez made me chuckle.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 11, 2008 11:40:05 GMT -5
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP)—Martin Verkerk is quitting tennis after a career in which he reached the 2003 French Open final.
“It had been my plan to play more matches,” the Dutchman said Tuesday. “It’s a pity it didn’t work out.”
The big serving Verkerk, winner of two ATP tournaments at Milan in 2003 and the Dutch Open a year later, lost the French Open final to Juan Carlos Ferrero in 2003.
The 30-year-old Verkerk played for 12 years and earned $1.5 million.
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Post by Brinyi on Jan 20, 2009 13:36:03 GMT -5
/me liked Pavel a lot, both as a player and a stand-up dude.
BACK STOPPING
Andrei Pavel's back injury was there for everyone at Rod Laver Arena to see. The ATP trainer went out, rubbed Pavel's lower back, Pavel tried to continue, then had to retire. This time, it was for good.
Game, set and match to fourth-seeded Andy Murray 6-2, 3-1, 15-0, and another injury withdrawal for Romania's Pavel, who has struggled with back pain for eight years.
Not just any ordinary pain, the L5 vertebrae is pinching the nerve.
Pavel hasn't considered surgery. And he didn't want to compare himself with cyclist Lance Armstrong, the 37-year-old seven-time Tour de France winner who is making a comeback from retirement.
"No, no. I don't want to have surgery on my back," Pavel said. "You know, what for? I'm 35 years old in few days. What am I, Armstrong? No, I'm not.
"I wish him good luck, though, because he is amazing, amazing guy."
The loss to Murray was likely his last match. With a ranking of 1,141, he relied on a protected ranking — granted because of his chronic back condition — to get into the main draw in Australia.
"I don't want to try it again," he said. "I don't want to damage my health. I played in enough tournaments, I guess."
Pavel, who has three ATP singles titles and seven in doubles, said he hoped things would go differently this year.
"My plan was to play those Grand Slams, just have fun out there, and then go to Bucharest, home, and just in front of my home crowd to just end my career," he said. "But it doesn't always go like you planned."
His best performance at a Grand Slam in 39 appearances was reaching the quarterfinals at the 2002 French Open.
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Post by DBBN on Jan 21, 2009 0:39:01 GMT -5
Yep, Pavel was cool, not to mention hunky. Too bad!
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Post by janie on Jan 21, 2009 12:19:56 GMT -5
Awww, I liked him too. Especially in Davis Cup! Sad to see guys go out because of pain.
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Post by janie on Apr 29, 2009 16:02:31 GMT -5
Coria retires and we get no fanfare here?
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Post by The Chloe on Apr 29, 2009 16:51:10 GMT -5
I wasn't aware that he'd officially packed it in. Either way, this is more or less what it will be like Gaudio retires next year, in that Coria's been irrelevant for such a long time that I hardly noticed he hadn't already retired.
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Post by janie on Apr 29, 2009 19:30:33 GMT -5
They noticed over at Tennis Week. I never think to look there any more, which may be why I'm late with this news. Although, as you say, it hardly qualifies as "news". blog.tennisweek.com/?p=526
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