Still Ailing, Soderling Pulls Out of Paris, London and The Olympics

Written by: Staff on 23rd May 2012

Still Ailing, Soderling Pulls Out of Paris, London and The Olympics

epa03228887 Robin Soderling of Sweden during a news conference at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm, Sweden, 21 May 2012. Soderling will miss the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics Games this year, the 27-year-old Swede said, cause he is still struggling with his fitness after being sidelined with mononucleosis last year. EPA/Bertil Ericson |

Swede Robin Soderling still has no idea when he can return to tennis after suffering for ten months with glandular fever. But the 28-year-old does have some good news after announcing that he and his girlfriend will become parents in September.

“Hello everyone. I have great news. Jenni and I become parents in September. We are both very happy and excited,” said the former No. 4 in a tweet.

Soderling still stands as the only man to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open, where he played finals in 2009 and 2010, losing to Roger Federer and Spain’s king of clay.

With his health still questionable, he has withdrawn from the summer run of big events: French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics.

The Swede with 10 titles added that his return plans are necessarily vague. “Even the doctors have trouble telling me when I can be back. The most important thing is I’m feeling better and better. “I feel pretty good during the days and I can do everything, but training – and especially a little bit more intense training – my body cannot take, I get too tired.”

Soderling, now ranked 56th, last played in July, 2011 when he won his home clay event at Bastad. He said that he’s not given up on returning to the courts.

“Of course I’ve thought about it (retirement) now and then but I’m 28 now and I have plenty of good years in front of me. I haven’t given up on the year. Hopefully I can come back a little, at an OK level.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, French Open, Rafael Nadal, Robin Soderling, Sports, Sweden tennis news, Tennis