Surprising decision - Kiki Bertens ended her career after this season
Dutch rider Kiki Bertens announced Wednesday that the 2021 season would be her last for her.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit: Jun 17, 2021, 05:53 pm
29 years is not necessarily the age at which you end your active tennis career - especially if your career has been going well in recent years. However, Kiki Bertens has decided to do just that. The former number four in the world announced this surprising decision on Wednesday at a press conference in her home country, the Netherlands. The reason for this step, which was taken immediately after the tournament in Roland Garros, is the last year's COVID break as well as her persistent problems with the Achilles tendon.
“If COVID hadn't come, I might have been able to continue for another two or three years. When I'm in the rhythm, it's easy for me and I can just keep going - no matter how long. That's why I was able to play 30 tournaments a year. Week after week, single and double. But once you've taken a step back, the body has to get used to it again, that makes it hard. I enjoy my time at home so why should I fight? Struggling with my fitness, my injury and how I feel on the pitch. It's just time to start a new chapter and I'm looking forward to it ”, the lady from South Holland allowed honest insights into her emotional life.
Wimbledon and Tokyo are still fixed points
At the beginning of the 2020 Corona season, Bertens had not yet given any thought to an end to her sporting career. A year earlier, she had won her biggest career title by winning the Mutua Madrid Open. With position four in the world, her best career placement, she was also the best-placed Dutch lady in WTA history. 2020 also got off to a very promising start: the quarter-finals in Brisbane, the round of 16 at the Australian Open and the title defense in Saint Petersburg.
“I had the feeling that it was going to be a really good year. But then COVID came and everything changed. Since everything was so uncertain, it was also so difficult to go out and exercise every day. So I thought I'd give my body a complete break - and to be honest, I liked it, ”said Bertens. When she resumed training, the pain in her Achilles tendon immediately worsened. “If you can no longer give 100% every day, and the work no longer gives you satisfaction, you have to ask yourself why you are still doing it. For me it was a clear decision. Enough is enough."
Bertens is now planning to serve at the WTA tournament in Eastbourne, the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon and the Olympic Games in Tokyo. After that, she would like to decide whether she will end her career after Tokyo or continue the hard court season in the USA.