TENNIS PLAYERS (Off-Court Shenanigans)

[ti-amie]

Iga must have very serious issues with her feet. Her signature loafers would've been better than these flip flops that you wear after a pedicure. I think she wears all of that fabric well.

[ponchi101]

I like her a lot as a player. But she is not modeling material, specially when she is dressed like a vampire hunter.

[ti-amie]

I like her a lot as a player. But she is not modeling material, specially when she is dressed like a vampire hunter.

Those flip flops would hamper her though...

[ashkor87]

Johanna Konta has retired from tennis, age 30..sad to see her go, she was an overachiever, did more than her God-given talents would have her do..an inspiration, I am sure, to many players trying to make it...

[Deuce]

Johanna Konta has retired from tennis, age 30..sad to see her go, she was an overachiever, did more than her God-given talents would have her do..an inspiration, I am sure, to many players trying to make it...

I wonder if her decision has anything to do with not wanting to get vaccinated and/or the emergence of Raducanu as the new British #1.

[ashkor87]

Or she had anyway decided not to go to Australia so did not see any reason to get vaccinated?

[ashkor87]

She already had COVID so....

[meganfernandez]

Johanna Konta has retired from tennis, age 30..sad to see her go, she was an overachiever, did more than her God-given talents would have her do..an inspiration, I am sure, to many players trying to make it...

At 30, she could take a break and play again later. We'll see. Wonder if this "graying of the field" trend will become the new normal and even continue to evolve, with players pushing into their 40s regularly, or if most will go back to retiring around 30 at some point.

[ponchi101]

I liked her, she was kind of fun and funny, but I don't think she will be missed too much. Was very lucky that she was British; any player from, for example, Croatia (Petra Martic) or S. America with her credentials would have never reached anywhere close to the same level of fame and scrutiny, seeing her results.
As Megan says, very young and could come back in a couple of years, but she is a perfect fit for a career in sports commentating.

[Suliso]

Johanna Konta has retired from tennis, age 30..sad to see her go, she was an overachiever, did more than her God-given talents would have her do..an inspiration, I am sure, to many players trying to make it...

At 30, she could take a break and play again later. We'll see. Wonder if this "graying of the field" trend will become the new normal and even continue to evolve, with players pushing into their 40s regularly, or if most will go back to retiring around 30 at some point.

90%+ players fade badly even now. Some retire, others choose to plug away at much lower level (for example Kuznetsova) and some concentrate on doubles.

[meganfernandez]

Yes, I'm going to snicker at this as much as I want. Laughter is healthy. But what a horrible juxtaposition given the grave seriousness and particulars of this situation. Also quite dubious that she is fine.

[meganfernandez]

Johanna Konta has retired from tennis, age 30..sad to see her go, she was an overachiever, did more than her God-given talents would have her do..an inspiration, I am sure, to many players trying to make it...

At 30, she could take a break and play again later. We'll see. Wonder if this "graying of the field" trend will become the new normal and even continue to evolve, with players pushing into their 40s regularly, or if most will go back to retiring around 30 at some point.

90%+ players fade badly even now. Some retire, others choose to plug away at much lower level (for example Kuznetsova) and some concentrate on doubles.

You're right, sustained excellence is extremely rare. Most players fade as they struggle with motivation, injuries and life's interruptions, but many are sticking around or returning and enjoying a phase of the career that didn't exist in the past. Different challenges, different goals, different perspective in maturity. Like Stosur - she's loving her resurgence in doubles and still thinks she has some good singles left to give and isn't ready to stop trying. Vesnina comes to mind, too. It's so individual but also there is a definite trend.

[meganfernandez]

I liked her, she was kind of fun and funny, but I don't think she will be missed too much. Was very lucky that she was British; any player from, for example, Croatia (Petra Martic) or S. America with her credentials would have never reached anywhere close to the same level of fame and scrutiny, seeing her results.
As Megan says, very young and could come back in a couple of years, but she is a perfect fit for a career in sports commentating.

I am going to miss her off-court outfits.

[ashkor87]

I guess the good thing is tennis is not a team sport so anyone can 'unretire ' whenever they want...so, in a sense, retirement really means nothing at all.. technically...

[meganfernandez]

I guess the good thing is tennis is not a team sport so anyone can 'unretire ' whenever they want...so, in a sense, retirement really means nothing at all.. technically...

Exactly. It used to. Pity the players who really mean it and no one believes them.