Ferrer, Baghdatis, Berdych - The three great tennis pensioners
Three big names said goodbye to the big tennis stage in 2019: David Ferrer , Marcos Baghdatis and Tomas Berdych . At least the Spaniards and the Cypriots will remain connected to the sport.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Dec 14, 2019, 05:55 pm
It is difficult for most athletes to say goodbye to professional sports. Especially if they cannot make this decision themselves. But be forced to do so by recurring injuries. Andy Murray just got the curve again, but how long the Scotsman will show on the ATP tour is naturally open. At the moment the hip is holding, but the bar of the two-time gold medalist is just picking up at the Olympic Games.
On the other hand, three men have resigned, each of whom has reached one final of a Grand Slam tournament. David Ferrer, who lost to Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros in 2014. Marcos Baghdatis, who lost to Roger Federer in Melbourne in 2006. And Tomas Berdych, who had no chance against Nadal in the 2011 Wimbledon final. Nicolas Almagro must not be forgotten, of course, he also ended his career during the season that ended a few weeks ago.
David Ferrer tournament director in Barcelona
The interesting thing is, however, that the former professionals cannot let go of their passion for long. David Ferrer will at least be able to keep travel stress within his new task: "Ferru" replaces Albert Costa as tournament director in Barcelona, the tournament whose center court is named after record winner Rafael Nadal. And Dominic Thiem is expected to start the European clay court season next year.
Marcos Baghdatis, on the other hand, has apparently outgrown his job as a TV expert and has joined Elina Svitolina's team of supervisors. Certainly not only because of the good mood that the man from Cyprus is able to spread.
Feliciano Lopez could be a candidate
Who will say goodbye to active sports after the 2020 season can be speculated on. The only thing that seems completely out of the question is that Ivo Karlovic gives up on the bat before he reaches his 50th birthday. At the moment, the Croatian is just 95th in the top 100, but the motto for the 40-year-old can only be an unconditional attack in the coming year.
A candidate could also be Feliciano Lopez, who like David Ferrer has already found a job as a tournament boss - even one category higher at the 1000 in Madrid. Lopez won the singles and doubles titles at the Queen's Club in London this year - and also won the Davis Cup title with the Spanish team at the end. On the course on which he is also responsible for the clay court tournament in spring.