Post by tall_one on Jun 30, 2005 7:01:03 GMT
Woodbridge Says It's Time To Go
by Helen Gilbert
Todd Woodbridge, the most successful doubles player in the Open Era history, surprised the world of tennis by announcing his retirement from the men's doubles tour this evening.
The defending Men's Doubles Champion, who has 82 doubles titles to his name, called a press conference at 7.10pm to say he was 'calling it a day'.
The Australian had hoped to notch up 10 Wimbledon Men's Double's titles, but his dream came to an abrupt end when, partnering Mahesh Bhupathi, he was knocked out of the second round by qualifiers.
"Things didn't work out according to plan," he told reporters. "I didn't even come to this tournament planning to retire. But I felt I had so many good, strong memories here, it was the right place to do it and the right time in my career to do it."
For the past three years the Australian has won the Men's Doubles event with Jonas Bjorkman. He also took the title with the Swede in 2000 and, alongside Mark Woodforde, was the holder between 1993 and 1997.
The news comes shortly before Australia prepares for the Davis Cup. "I had to make an announcement because our Australian Davis Cup team is getting ready to play the quarter-final against Argentina," he continued. "I felt it was unfair to sort of sit on the fence for a few more days for them. They need to be clear on what they've got to do."
Woodbridge added: "The seed has been planted in my head for a couple of weeks. I think it germinated here when I didn't play too well in the dubs."
The Sydneysider described his best memory as his first Wimbledon win with compatriot Mark Woodforde in 1993. "Coming from Australia there are two goals, I think, as a player and they're to play Davis Cup and win Wimbledon. The moment you become a Wimbledon champion, you take a step up as a tennis player. That was probably the first time where I felt I had made it as a player."
Woodbridge cited his reasons for retiring as "completely personal". He has not won a tournament since January and promised he would call it a day when he began losing matches.
But he will have fond memories of The Championships, where he has also notched up two Junior Doubles titles, a Mixed title and one appearance in a singles semi-final. "All of my greatest results came here," he said. "[Wimbledon is a] place that sometimes people come here and they don't feel comfortable, they feel nervous. I came here and felt like I was absolutely at ease, at home, and enjoyed every time I could walk out on the court.
"I think I held the place with so much respect that mentally I focused better here and I kept my temper in check. Everything I did here was very purposeful. You know, that's why for me this was the best place to retire."
But it's not over yet. With his Australian partner Samantha Stosur, the 34-year-old won his Mixed Doubles match today and will appear in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
by Helen Gilbert
Todd Woodbridge, the most successful doubles player in the Open Era history, surprised the world of tennis by announcing his retirement from the men's doubles tour this evening.
The defending Men's Doubles Champion, who has 82 doubles titles to his name, called a press conference at 7.10pm to say he was 'calling it a day'.
The Australian had hoped to notch up 10 Wimbledon Men's Double's titles, but his dream came to an abrupt end when, partnering Mahesh Bhupathi, he was knocked out of the second round by qualifiers.
"Things didn't work out according to plan," he told reporters. "I didn't even come to this tournament planning to retire. But I felt I had so many good, strong memories here, it was the right place to do it and the right time in my career to do it."
For the past three years the Australian has won the Men's Doubles event with Jonas Bjorkman. He also took the title with the Swede in 2000 and, alongside Mark Woodforde, was the holder between 1993 and 1997.
The news comes shortly before Australia prepares for the Davis Cup. "I had to make an announcement because our Australian Davis Cup team is getting ready to play the quarter-final against Argentina," he continued. "I felt it was unfair to sort of sit on the fence for a few more days for them. They need to be clear on what they've got to do."
Woodbridge added: "The seed has been planted in my head for a couple of weeks. I think it germinated here when I didn't play too well in the dubs."
The Sydneysider described his best memory as his first Wimbledon win with compatriot Mark Woodforde in 1993. "Coming from Australia there are two goals, I think, as a player and they're to play Davis Cup and win Wimbledon. The moment you become a Wimbledon champion, you take a step up as a tennis player. That was probably the first time where I felt I had made it as a player."
Woodbridge cited his reasons for retiring as "completely personal". He has not won a tournament since January and promised he would call it a day when he began losing matches.
But he will have fond memories of The Championships, where he has also notched up two Junior Doubles titles, a Mixed title and one appearance in a singles semi-final. "All of my greatest results came here," he said. "[Wimbledon is a] place that sometimes people come here and they don't feel comfortable, they feel nervous. I came here and felt like I was absolutely at ease, at home, and enjoyed every time I could walk out on the court.
"I think I held the place with so much respect that mentally I focused better here and I kept my temper in check. Everything I did here was very purposeful. You know, that's why for me this was the best place to retire."
But it's not over yet. With his Australian partner Samantha Stosur, the 34-year-old won his Mixed Doubles match today and will appear in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
