ATP Estoril: Arthur Fils ends Joao Sousa’s career
Arthur Fils ended Joao Sousa 's singles career at the ATP 250 tournament in Estoril. A little later the Portuguese also failed in the doubles.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Apr 03, 2024, 08:35 pm
The career of the best Portuguese tennis player of all time, Joao Sousa, is over. The 35-year-old lost his opening match at his home tournament in Estoril against the Frenchman Arthur Fils by 5:7 and 4:6. After the match, Sousa received a standing ovation from the spectators that lasted for minutes.
Sousa won four titles in the course of his career. The former world number 28's best Grand Slam result was reaching the round of 16 twice (US Open 2018 and Wimbledon 2019). In the past two years, the Portuguese has repeatedly struggled with back problems.
Thiem with special memories of Sousa
In Estoril, Dominic Thiem also commented on the Portuguese's retirement. "Over time, we became very good friends off the court," said the 2020 US Open winner. The Austrian has special memories of the duels with Sousa, as he won his first Grand Slam main draw match against him (Australian Open 2014) and his second title on the ATP Tour (Umag 2015).
#VIDEO#
Sousa then lost alongside João Fonseca in the doubles competition in Estoril on Wednesday. The 35-year-old's career is now finally over.