When we would see Robin Soderling play on the Tour again? – Tennis Special
It’s now over a year when we saw Sweden’s Robin Soderling participating in a competition for the last time. The 27-year-old has still not fully recovered from the glandular fever he was diagnosed last year in July.
The thing which is most sad to know is that the former world number four has dropped out of the ATP Rankings, as he has not played even a single match in the last 12 months.
Soderling is missed on the tennis circuit, as he is an excellent player, who used to thrash his opponents with his big serves and fiery forehand shots. The Swedish player was a permanent member of the top-10 players in the world
in the last two years before this break. Most of the times during this period, he advanced, at least, to the quarter-finals of any tournament he took part.
The Swede first came into limelight, when he stunned the four time defending champion, Rafael Nadal, in four sets 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(2) in the fourth round of the 2009 French Open. This was the only time that Nadal did not win
the Roland Garros title in his total of eight appearances in the only clay court Grand Slam.
One of the best players in the tennis history, Roger Federer, would have remained thankful to Soderling all his life, as the latter had paved the way for the Swiss Maestro towards the title in 2009. However, Federer faced the wrath
of Soderling’s aggressiveness in the very next year, as he was beaten by the Swede in the quarter-finals of the 2010 French Open.
Soderling advanced to the final of Roland Garros on both the occasions but it’s a pity that he was unable to win even once. Though, the Swede rose to the fourth spot in the world rankings, after his consistent top level performance
in 2010.
The Monte-Carlo, Monaco resident did not stop after having two pretty successful seasons, as he captured four titles at the start of 2011. However, Soderling’s fate changed after being good for so long, as he started to have health
problems. Doctor’s failed to diagnose the real disease and the Swede kept on playing on the ATP World Tour.
Soderling participated in his home event of SkiStar Swedish Open in July, 2011 and went on to capture the crown. Though, his health deteriorated very badly later on and then the doctors came to know that he had glandular fever.
In an interview in this year’s May, Soderling shared, "I'm 28 and have plenty of good years left in me. I haven't given up on the year. Hopefully I can come back a little, at an OK level. It's difficult to say because this is not
really like a regular injury. Even the doctors have trouble telling me when I can be back. The most important thing is I'm feeling better and better.”
He added, "Now I am where I feel pretty good during the days and I can do everything, but training - and especially a little bit more intense training - my body cannot take, I get too tired.”
All the tennis followers are hoping that Soderling reclaims his health soon and starts participating on the ATP World Tour.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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