New York, Aug 31 : Germany’s Andrea Petkovic was overcome with emotion after her tennis career was over on Tuesday in a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss to Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic at the US Open.Former top 10 player and French Open semi-finalist Petkovic had revealed this week that the New York grand slam would be her last event, but she could return at a smaller tournament in Europe for her friends and family members the opportunity to watch her tennis. “I was shocked over the past five days,” Petkovic said after the first round loss and admitted that he was in “pure sorrow.”
Petkovic stated that she initially planned to announce her retirement couple of weeks ago, but the plan was canceled when American legend Serena Williams said in Vogue magazine that the US Open would be her final tournament.
“I was awake the next day, my phone was flashing at a rapid pace because of the Serena article in Vogue was featured.So I thought, okay it’s not going to be a big deal right now,” she said.Petkovic said she had a lot of respect for the 23-time grand slam champion Williams who made it to the second round of play on Monday in the midst of the affluence of.
“I thought about what I could have done to explain how Serena could have done it.I feel such compassion and empathy for her,” the 34-year-old German stated.
Petkovic said she obviously didn’t offer the game “as as much Serena” however she was content because “I believe I ended everything in my tiny world.”
In the last time she played in which she was able to come back from one point down to take a decisive set against Bencic she stated that she needed to remind herself “What do people recognize you for? What do you represent? For fighting! Running after every ball! Never ever giving up!
“I got myself back together and I would like to be remembered in this manner.”
What Petkovic has done, having worked as a sports reporter and columnist throughout her career is yet to be seen.However, she has stated that she wants to remain as a coach for young talent like Jule Niemeier who ousted former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin on Tuesday.
“I believed in Jule Niemeier long before she was even on the radar of any person,” Petkovic said.
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