When the Music Fades...

After hanging up the racquet, laying down the basketball, or putting away the rugby chair, how do athletes navigate through their new lifestyles?

View Forum | Print Article | Font Size + / - | Back

Retirement! For the tennis player, what does it mean? The dictionary defines retirement as “to go away, to give up something, to recede or disappear.” It sounds so final, doesn’t it?

In the tennis world, retirement is a different beast compared to the rest of society. In everyday life people generally retire at 65 and take up a hobby, spend their children’s inheritance, travel, or enjoy more time with the grandkids.

In wheelchair tennis the bulk of players who have retired from competitive action are between the ripe old age of 30-40. Not exactly old enough to take up bingo, is it? This leaves another 30-40 years before you can bounce the grandkids on your knee or say hi to the big cheese in the sky.

So, why retire in the first place? There are many reasons: Injury, lack of motivation, wanting to try something different, or perhaps to raise a family.

For Mick Connell, the great Australian player who still competes at local events but retired from the tour many years ago, it was a combination of reasons.

“I started to lose motivation and the killer instinct in matches. All of a sudden, I was scared to go for shots. It was weird.”

Ellen De Lange, a former British world-ranked number five, said there were varying factors. “I retired because I could not combine it with work anymore. After having played at the highest level, I only wanted to continue if I could improve. Also, there was a conflict of interest between me working for a wheelchair tennis [organization] and having to make decisions.”

Ready or Not...

Retirement affects players in many different ways. Some are ready for it, while others aren’t. Former British athlete Jayant Mistry said, “I kind of had a plan. I am a qualified tennis coach and love working one-on-one with people but had no job to go to. I am very fortunate I found my current job, where I lobby and advise on sports provision that includes disabled people.”

It can take time to find new goals and adjust to living in the real world again away from airports, travel to various countries, and a different hotel every week.


David Hall enjoys being with family and friends...and also with an electric guitar and a 1966 Ford Mustang. Read more in the September S’NS.

To order the September 2008 SPORTS 'N SPOKES, Click Here.
To Subscribe, Click Here.