Former world number three Nikolay Davydenko of Russian announced his retirement from professional tennis on Thursday, October 16, at a press conference at the ongoing Kremlin Cup in Moscow.
“I am 33 years old,” the Russian started. “I won 21 ATP World Tour tournaments, including three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. I don’t have any regrets about not winning a Grand Slam or not being No. 1 in the world. I was in the Top 10 for some years.
Davydenko has won six tour-level matches this season and has been struggling in recent years to come back from injury.
“Unfortunately, for some years now, I have been struggling with injuries. It’s hard for me to talk about it. I have been thinking when to announce it. The time has come. I have my whole life to live. I officially announce my retirement from professional tennis.”
“I decided to retire in June after Roland Garros,” continued the right-hander, who played his final professional match against Robin Haase in the first round in Paris. “I felt I could not play at the level I used to play at. I practised twice a day, but I felt I couldn’t achieve the result I wanted. But I was waiting for the moment when I would wake up and say to myself it was enough.”
Davydenko has won a total of 21 ATP titles. Out of that, he’s won three ATP Masters 1000 titles and won the prestigious ATP World Tour Finals in 2009. He’s reached four Grand Slam singles semifinals and was part of the Russian team on their way to the 2006 Davis Cup title. He’s achieved a career-best ranking of number 3 back in 2009.
“I now have set new goals. I can say I will work in business and finance. I will work not only on a national, but also on an international level. I have been playing throughout the world. Time will tell. For me these are new technologies and I have a lot of friends whom I can work with.”
