A year doesn’t go by without a famous player saying goodbye to professional tennis. It’s a difficult step into the unknown for each of them. After years spent on the courts, on airplanes and in hotel rooms, suddenly they have much time on their hands. On the other hand, many of them don’t get bored in their sporting retirement.
When the American Andy Roddick said goodbye to tennis years ago, it was such a surprise that no one even asked what he wanted to do when he stopped circumnavigating the world of tennis courts. He declared that his dog would be the happiest about the decision.
Andy isn’t bored in retirement, however. Even as an active player, he was heavily involved in charitable organizations and hadn’t stopped even after the clay had been nipping at his heels. He also plays golf and is a regular commentator for various TV stations on the most important tennis tournaments.
Roddick is neither the first nor the last tennis player to deal with a new life. The following are 5 famous players and their “retirement” stories. Stay tuned!
Alex Corretja was one of the most cheerful and friendly players on the ATP circuit. In 2005, he declared the end of his career and became a reporter for Spanish television. With his brother Ivan, he started an organization to support young Spanish tennis and football players. In 2008, he was helping Andy Murray prepare for the clay courts.
He divorced his long-time girlfriend and later wife Marta in 2009 and has two daughters with her. One year later, he was already committed to Murray full time. In autumn 2011, he became captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team, which he led for two years. In 2015, he joined the Eurosport TV channel.
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