Alicia Molik Announces Retirement from Professional Tennis
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Sep 4, 2008 | Print |
Former top ten star Alicia Molik officially announced her retirement from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour on Thursday.
The Australian tennis player won five singles and seven doubles titles, including the 2005 Australian Open doubles trophy with Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Molik, who was a fan favorite in her homeland and throughout the world, ended her twelve-year professional career after enduring a difficult recovery from an inner ear infection that caused her to miss six months of competition.
“Injuries and niggles are part of being an athlete, and you accept it, but every time you suffer a setback it’s not just difficult physically but it’s very emotionally draining as well,” Molik said in comments first published by the Australian media.
“It’s difficult getting back on the horse every single time and trying to attain the same level.
“It’s tiring and it’s very draining but I guess it’s a number of things culminating. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking. I did have a huge setback 3½ years ago, with my middle-ear problem.
“It took a while to get back, and since then I’ve just struggled with a few more things that I’ve never imagined would come along the way. But that isn’t the only thing. I think I’m still young enough to focus my energies on something that I feel is again challenging.”
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Van | Sep 5, 2008 | Reply
That was kind of sad to see: I was pulling for her to make it back. I always like to see players from countries with such strong traditions start to bring their home nation back to the forefront.
Well, best of luck Alicia in the next phase of your life!
Vicki | Sep 6, 2008 | Reply
Sad to see Alicia go but if she’s happy with the decision which it sounds like she is good luck to her and I hope she find happiness in the next phase of her life.
Tara W | Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
i was so so so so sad to here that my Alicia was calling it quits it was sad but i will always lover her and still be her big fan and she is still the one person i wanna meet.
Good luck with the futer Alicia.