Editor’s word: This text was translated from ATPTour.com/es
Surrounded by his family members, Pablo Andujar introduced his skilled profession to an finish final week on the Copa Faulcombridge, an ATP Challenger Tour occasion performed in Valencia.
At 37 years outdated, Andujar stated his farewell on courtroom on Tuesday, enjoying his last match in opposition to his compatriot and match wild card Martin Landaluce, earlier than being despatched off with an emotional tribute on Saturday.
Andujar leaves the sport with 4 ATP Tour titles (Casablanca 2011 and 2012, Gstaad 2014 and Marrakech 2018) and an additional 5 finals (Bucharest 2010 and 2011, Stuttgart 2011, Barcelona 2015 and Marrakech 2019).
In 2015, within the midst of his strongest interval, he peaked at No. 32 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
“On steadiness my profession has been optimistic,” Andujar instructed ATPTour.com. “There have been lots of experiences and adventures all through all these years which have led me to be the particular person I’m. Tennis-wise, I feel it’s been a profession through which higher issues might have occurred, but additionally through which all the pieces I did was pondering that it was probably the most optimistic choice. It has been a good profession, that is the phrase.”
Having performed over 400 tour-level matches since turning skilled in 2003, Andujar says goodbye to tennis after dwelling the dream of being an expert and enjoying within the largest tournaments on Tour.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve had a lot success,” stated the Cuenca native. “I used to observe all of the tournaments as a boy and I all the time thought I might compete in them. The truth that I used to be capable of compete in them means my dream got here true. I don’t assume I went that far, however not directly enjoying in one of the best tournaments on the earth… I don’t know if it stunned me, I don’t know if that’s the phrase, nevertheless it was a dream come true.
“Whenever you begin out, you’re not so conscious of how robust it’s, you’re not conscious of what a profession brings with it, you’re not conscious of how tough issues are. You’re actually not conscious of all of the work it takes to attain the purpose of enjoying at a giant match, for instance.”
So a few years, after all, are filled with moments and reminiscences, experiences of a life travelling all over the world to hit a tennis ball. What are the Spaniard’s three biggest profession highlights?
“First, once I gained my first ATP match in Casablanca; second, the defeat to Rafa [Nadal] in Rio, which I feel was one of the best match of my profession; and third, when after two and a half years sidelined by harm, I got here again and gained in Marrakech.” he recalled. “They’re the three moments.”
The primary corresponds to the title he claimed in Morocco in 2011, when he beat the Italian Potito Starace within the last to cap every week through which he left Florent Serra, Jeremy Chardy, Pere Riba and Albert Montanes in his wake earlier than profitable the title decider.
The second second was a semi-final conflict with Nadal in Rio de Janeiro in 2014. Andujar was on the cusp of victory and had two match factors, however he was unable to transform them and finally bowed out in a final-set tie-break that he misplaced 10-12 to the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
The third reminiscence is a reference to the ordeal he needed to undergo after three elbow operations over two and a half years. When it appeared like hanging up his racquet is perhaps the one choice, Andujar picked himself up, rediscovered his ‘A’ sport and broke again into the Prime 100 in 2018 by turning into the second-lowest ranked participant (No. 355) to win an ATP Tour title. (Lleyton Hewitt was World No. 550 when he gained in Adelaide in 1998.) The Spaniard’s comeback was full when he returned to the Prime 50 in 2019.
“My biggest success was having the ability to compete after the harm, for 5 years. Competing to the tip, with a great stage of tennis,” acknowledged Andujar. “The largest disappointment… the Davis Cup, not having gained ties. I gained a match, however no ties. You will have the stress of enjoying on your nation. Personally I might have appreciated [to have had more success].”
On high of these moments, Andujar left tennis followers with some nice victories (for instance, he defeated Roger Federer in Geneva in 2021), but additionally with an angle that may absolutely present an instance for gamers of the long run.
“I don’t know if I’m abandoning a legacy. I feel that’s for gamers who had been higher than me,” he stated. “I’d wish to be remembered as somebody who has all the time tried to be well-mannered, who will get on effectively with everybody, and who made no enemies. Tennis, regardless of being a solitary sport, can be a sport through which we’re all colleagues. That’s how I see it.
“The best lesson tennis has given me is to be taught to understand issues and respect everybody,” added Andujar, who will stay on the earth of tennis as a participant consultant on the ATP Board. “Above all, coming by means of the challenges that usually stand in your manner. I feel that’s the largest studying.”
One of many good guys, each on and off the courtroom, is shifting on.