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IMAGE: Germany’s Andrea Petkovic reacts after successful a sport in opposition to Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic within the first spherical of the ladies’s singles on the 2022 US Open on Tuesday. {Photograph}: Sarah Stier/Getty Photographs
Germany’s Andrea Petkovic was visibly emotional on Tuesday as she headed into retirement following a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 loss to Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic within the first spherical on the US Open.
Petkovic, who introduced her resolution to retire on Sunday, has gained seven singles titles over her profession and reached a rating of world quantity 9 in 2011.
The 34-year-old, presently ranked 104th, made the 2014 French Open semi-final and three further Grand Slam quarter-finals in 2011.
“I nonetheless love the sport, nonetheless have an incredible quantity of ardour for the sport,” Petkovic advised reporters.
“It is extra the physique that isn’t permitting me to play tennis anymore in a approach that I wish to play it, prepare the best way I wish to prepare, simply play a full season actually.
“The final 4 weeks I’ve simply been taking part in with painkillers and anti-inflammatories. That was simply the half that made me resolve to not proceed anymore, not the dearth of ardour or need for the sport. So I feel that was the saddest half in a approach.”
Petkovic, who left the door open for a attainable exhibition match in Europe to say goodbye to household and pals, stated the hardest a part of her resolution was coping with the feelings within the days main as much as the match.
“I used to be actually devastated (for) the final 5 days and principally crying (after) each apply,” Petkovic stated.
“I used to be glad that it ended like this, with Belinda, anyone I like and respect a lot. Additionally that I may convey to the final match every little thing that I delivered to my profession, which was grit and tenacity and simply respect for the sport and for my opponents.”
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