Ivan Ljubicic has ‘no regrets’ on his retirement decision – Tennis News
Former world number three, Ivan Ljubicic, is happy with hi s decision to quit tennis circuit and regrets nothing. He left the world of tennis after losing in the opening round of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters on Monday. His compatriot,
Ivan Dodig, was the last man he faced in his professional career. Dodig thumped the 33-year-old Croatian in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 at the red clay courts in France.
In an interview, the retired Ljubicic confessed, “It was a tough day for me. I knew it could end up being emotional but I didn't expect it to be this emotional. It's the end of something beautiful for me.” Retirement from professional
occupation is always a poignant decision. Players have so many memories attached to their respective sport and the Croatian was a fantastic player who climbed to the third rank in the world for the last time in October 2006.
The Croatian further added, “I think there are four things I'm most proud of - my Olympic medal, the Davis Cup, my number three ranking and the Indian Wells title. Breaking the world top 10 was also very special. I am very happy
with what I achieved. I did a lot more than I personally expected - and I guess even the people around me didn't expect. But I'm happy that I did. I absolutely have no regrets."
It is good to see that he left the courts at the right time; placed at the 53rd rank in the world at an age of 33 is always a blessing in disguise. Players usually lose their charm when they touch the 30 mark in their
age but this man has been consistently playing well to sustain a healthy rank in this competitive sport where everyday someone stands up and registers a heroic performance.
In his fantastic career, the Croatian won 10 singles Association of Tennis Professionals titles that included the major win at Indian Wells, two years ago. However, he must be unpleased with his efforts in the most elite format
of the sport, the Grand Slam tournaments. He featured in the main round of 48 Grand Slam tournaments but only advanced or surpassed the quarter-final stage on two different occurrences.
It was expected that he will play the London Olympics, later this year, but Ljubicic decided that it was enough for him and time had arrived to move on to the next stage of life. A fantastic career comes to an end with the retirement
of Ivan Ljubicic.
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