Ivan Ljubicic retires from professional tennis amid tears – Tennis News
Former world number three, Ivan Ljubicic, could not control his emotions, as he retired from professional tennis on the ATP World Tour on Sunday.
The Croatian played his last match, losing at the hands of compatriot, Ivan Dodig, in straight sets 0-6, 3-6 in the first round at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in Monaco.
Ljubicic could not stop his tears when he sat on his chair after shaking hands with his opponent and umpire at the end of the match, as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
ATP boss, Brad Drewett; and tournament director, Zeljko Franulovic, awarded a special gift to the Croatian to honour him in an on court ceremony after the match.
Speaking on the occasion, an emotional Ljubicic shared, "It was a tough day for me, on the court and off. I had my mind everywhere else except on the tennis court. Obviously I'm completely out of shape. I don't even think it makes
any sense to talk about the match today.”
The Croatian got so emotional that he was unable to stop his tears throughout the ceremony. He said, "I have to say that I felt like it could end up emotional but I didn't expect these big emotions really. It's the end of something
beautiful for me. It's been 20 years and now it's time to do something else."
Dodig said, "This is the first time that I'm not happy to have won the match."
The veteran, who is based in Monte Carlo, had announced a couple of months back that his home event would be last before his retirement.
It all started for Ljubicic at the same place in 1999, when he defeated the then world number 104, Andrei Medvedev, and third ranked, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, in the first and second round respectively to get recognition of the ATP
World Tour.
During a career that spanned almost 15 years, the Croatian went on to capture 10 titles, including an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 at the BNP Paribas Open in 2010.
His other career highlights include a Bronze Medal in the doubles event at the Athens Olympics in 2004, helping Croatia to win the Davis Cup crown in 2005, a semi-final showing at the French Open in 2006, reaching the third position
in the South African Airways ATP Rankings in 2006.
He also remained the head of Player Council and ATP board member in 2008-09. Ljubicic was applauded by his fellow player in the locker room, after the match.
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