Robin Soderling fitness may force him to say goodbye – Tennis News
Former world number four, Robin Soderling from Sweden, is expecting for the worst scenario in his battle to recover from his illness. The Swede is suffering from glandular fever since the summer of 2011 and has not played tennis for almost one and a half
year.
Soderling is eagerly waiting to conquer the battle against a severe viral infection. However, he is expecting the worst of never returning at the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour. He was quoted in an interview:
“Overall it’s getting better. I will give it a shot, but I have learned to live with the thought that maybe it will not be possible. The hope, the hopelessness, then the hope, then the hopelessness – it really kills me.”
The Swede became a father during his tenure of recovering. His girlfriend Jenni Mostrom gave birth to their daughter Olivia, giving Soderling some perspective of living. He reflected:
"For the first time in my life I'm not putting myself first, which is a very strange feeling. It's also nice. All my life I've been focusing on tennis, training, getting results. But I still have a lot of things to be thankful for. The (mono) could have
happened when I was 18 or 20. I was 27. Up to now I've had a good career."
The 28-year-old thinks he still had five more years on courts but may never recover. However, he is delighted for what he achieved during his tenure. Soderling secured final berth at the French Open twice and reached his career high rank at number four in
the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings in November 2010. He stunned the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, en route to the title-round at Roland Garros.
Soderling last played at the Skistar Swedish Open in Bastad where he was seeded top and ranked number five in the ATP rankings. The Swede cruised to the title-round without losing a set. He crushed second seeded David Ferrer in straight sets and captured
his fourth year-to-date title.
In seven months of playing in 2011, the Swedish icon captured four titles. His first came at the Brisbane International where he overpowered the former world number one, Andy Roddick, in straight sets. Soderling maintained his intensity throughout his seven
month spell of 2011. He stole the show at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam and the Open 13 in Marseille and reached far in several events.
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