Kiefer Retires from Tour

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 31st December 2010

Kiefer Retires from Tour |

Nicolas Kiefer, who announced his retirement from tennis yesterday at the age of 33, cites his new family as the main reason for turning away from the life on the road.

Using his own personal website nicolaskiefer.de, the German who became a father for the first time last year said: “At the start of the New Year, you set yourself targets and I achieved mine on August 11 of the year which is ending.

“With the birth of our daughter Mabelle Emilienne, my greatest wish has been fulfilled. From now on, I would like to accompany and shape this new life. Therefore, after deep thought, I’ve decided to end my career as a tennis professional.”

Kiefer reached fourth placed on the world rankings but won the last of his six ATPTour titles more than ten years ago. He has suffered repeatedly with injuries over the past couple of seasons and his last competitive appearance was a first round loss to Spain’s David Ferrer at Wimbledon in June.

He did not reach a Grand Slam final but made the 1997 Wimbledon quarter-finals at the age of 19, the 2006 Australian Open semis and won an Olympic silver medal at doubles alongside Rainer Schuttler in 2004.

During 2010 he was only able to contest four tournaments and consequently has been unable to find any consistency on court, with his ranking slipping to 722. He leaves the sport with a prize fund of close to $US7.5 million and a 10-13 record in Davis Cup from 13 ties played since 1998.

Topics: 5 Million, Appearance, Atptour, August 11, Australian Open, Consistency, David Ferrer, Davis Cup, Deep Thought, Mabelle, New Year, Nicolas Kiefer, Olympic Silver Medal, Quarter Finals, Rainer Schuttler, Retirement, S David, Semis, Ties, Wimbledon