Barbora Strycova ends her career - but one match is still pending ...
The Czech Barbora Strycova has announced the end of her career - but she still wants to play a farewell game after her baby break.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: May 07, 2021, 03:14 pm
One of the most popular players on the WTA Tour says goodbye to professional tennis: Barbora Strycova says goodbye, if not without sadness.
"It feels weird," Strycova wrote on Twitter. "Until now tennis was the only world I knew. I always had a tremendous love for this insane sport. Despite all the pain, tears and sweat - the big moments and victories were worth it."
She never planned to end her career during a pandemic, Strycova said. "But some things in life cannot be planned and I am incredibly curious about my life as a mother."
Strycova announced her pregnancy at the end of March , but did not reveal anything about a possible continuation of her career.
Strycova wants to "really say goodbye"
The 35-year-old still wants to give a farewell match. "As soon as it is possible, I will play one last match," she announced to her fans. "In front of you. To really say goodbye."
Of course, the farewell greetings did not keep us waiting long. "You're going to be an incredible mother," wrote Kim Clijsters, who in turn started a comeback in 2020 with three kids. Andrea Petkovic and Rennae Stubbs also spoke up, "Be proud of yourself and enjoy life without this special pressure," wrote Barbara Rittner.
Strycova was last on the court at the Australian Open, where she lost in Round 1. Already at the Wimbledon tournament in 2019, where Strycova made it to the semi-finals in singles and won the title in doubles, she had indicated that she did not yet know whether she would continue playing beyond the turn of the year. Which she did after all.
Strycova is currently ranked 52nd in singles and 2nd in doubles.