Massu To Retire

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 29th August 2013

Massu To Retire

epa03570031 Chilean tennis player Nicolas Massu returns the ball to Spanish Albert Montanes during the ATP Vina del Mar tennis tournament, held in Vina del Mar, Chile, 05 February 2013. EPA/MARIO RUIZ |

Retirement announcements seem almost as prolific as matches during this year’s US Open and in the wake of James Blake, former Olympic champion Nicolas Massu of Chile has announced he’s hit his last competitive ball.

But whereas Blake made his announcement in the Press Interview Room at Flushing Meadows, a tearful Massu, broke the news in an emotional news conference in the Chilean capital of Santiago.

To most, the announcement hardly came as a massive surprise. The long haired 33 year-old has not played a main ATP World Tour event since Vina Del Mar in February and there he lost in the first round to Albert Montanes.

Massu, unique in the fact he is the only male player to have won Olympic gold at both the singles and doubles in modern times has slipped to 587 in the world rankings. His five sets Olympic title win over American Mardy Fish on the clay of Athens in 2004 and doubling up with Fernando Gonzalez now seems a distant memory.

“I made the tough decision when I realized it wasn’t possible to return to my best level and I had exhausted all efforts,” admitted Massu, nicknamed Vampiro (The Vampire) in his home country.

“After discussing it for months with my team, my heart and body, I decided to end my professional career being aware that it wasn’t possible to get back to a top level and exhausted from the effort it takes to be an elite sportsman.”

The one-time world no.9 and winner of six clay court titles last win on the main ATP World Tour came in Houston during April 2010 and apart from the odd Davis Cup appearance, Massu has largely played Challengers and even Futures for more than three years.

Nevertheless Massu still merited praise from world no.1 Novak Djokovic when the news of his announcement arrived in New York. “I had a great relationship with him,” revealed the Serb. “He’s one of the best competitors that I know.

“He was a big fighter on the court. He left a great legacy in the sport, in Chilean sport. I think people respect him very much there. I wish him the best in his life after his career.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp World Tour, Davis Cup, James Blake, Mardy Fish, Nicolas Massu, Tennis, US Open

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

massublog says:

August 29, 2013 at 8:59 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Massu To Retire : Retirement announcements seem almost as prolific as matches during this year’s US O… http://t.co/ceeQ…
dusanVemic says:

August 29, 2013 at 9:16 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Massu To Retire : Retirement announcements seem almost as prolific as matches during this year’s US O… http://t.co/ceeQ…
BrianSHester says:

August 29, 2013 at 9:21 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Massu To Retire : Retirement announcements seem almost as prolific as matches during this year’s US O… http://t.co/ceeQ…