Two-time major champion Amelie Mauresmo has decided to hang up her tennis racquet for good.
The thirty-year old French player announced her decision to retire on Thursday at a press conference in France.
Winner of 25 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles, three doubles titles and the 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon trophies, Mauresmo marks the end of a career that saw her become one of the very best and most popular players in the history of women’s tennis.
Mauresmo played her last professional match at the 2009 US Open, where she was defeated by Alexandra Wozniak, 64 60 in the second round. She posted seven Top 10 wins during her final season and captured her 25th singles title, winning on home turf at the Open GDF Suez in Paris.
“I don’t want to train anymore,” Mauresmo explained. “I had to make a decision, which became evident in the last few months and weeks. When you grew older, it’s more difficult to stay at the top. It’s a bit sad, but this is the right decision. I was lucky enough to have an exceptional career and to experience very strong feelings on the court.”
The 30-year-old exits the game having been one of only 19 players to have ever held the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour World No.1 ranking. Mauresmo ascended to the No.1 spot for the first time on September 13, 2004 and held it for five weeks. She recaptured the top ranking on March 20, 2006 and held it for the majority of that year, until November 12, bringing her total weeks at No.1 to 39, amassing the ninth most weeks at No.1 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
Through much of her career, Mauresmo proudly served on the French Fed Cup team, representing her country throughout eleven seasons and contributing to France’s second ever Fed Cup victory in 2003 (winning both her singles matches over the USA in straight sets).
Her tremendous grace and style on the court will be missed. When she played well, which was more often than not, it was like watching a fine ballet. Best wishes to her in any and all of her future endeavors.
She will be missed on the court and tour for sure. But, she’s had a long career (17 years) and it’s time for her to step back and take a good look at her life. Though, she may end up making a comeback in a year or two…it’s popular these days.
Sure would be nice to see her come back as a mainstay on the doubles circuit!
Yes, she will be missed as one of the great artists/ballerinas of the game in a league with Yvonne Goolagong, Gabriella Sabatini and Justine Henine. Thankfully Justine is picking up the gauntlet where she leaves off.
As is true with many of the greats and ‘near’ greats of the game, Amelie was her ‘own worst enemy’ in terms of not being able to consistently master her ‘mental game’. Far too many ‘walk abouts’ occurred on her watch; they became almost ‘de rigeur’ (expected), and so sad for such a great talent.
Vous nous manquez deja et toujours!!! Prenez une grande vacance et, peut-etre, retournez pour qu’on peut dire encore ‘ALLONS-Y!!!’ Beaucoup remerciements et tres bonne chance avec votre choix! A la prochaine!