Czech tennis player Radek Stepanek, winner of five singles titles and eighteen doubles, announced on Tuesday the end of his sports career so as not to put his health at risk.
«I am not going to continue competing. I finish my journey with him tennis“The 38-year-old tennis player said visibly moved at a press conference in Prague.
«This last year, after the operation, it has not been easy. I do not want to risk my life or the next stage that awaits me, “added Stepanek, who has already had to undergo two operations, on the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.
Karvina’s tennis player, who was eighth in the world in singles in 2006 and fourth in doubles in 2012, has been one of the architects of his country’s success in the Davis Cup.
He made his debut in this tournament of nations in 2003 and managed to lift the “salad bowl” in 2012 by beating Spain in Prague, to revalidate the champion title against Serbia in Belgrade a year later.
«I always knew that the stage of tennis It is limited and I wanted it to last as long as possible, but I must be realistic and see if the body can or not, “he said.
“I have fought to the last breath, and the time has come for something else,” he added, while acknowledging that “many other beautiful experiences off the slopes await him in life.”
Now he plans to disappear “a couple of days to rest” and acknowledged that he is not “in a hurry.” “Before I was always in a hurry, now comes an unknown time, of tranquility,” he said.
The physiotherapist Pavel Kolar recognized that after two operations “there is a high risk of recurrence with the load of the matches, which would require another operation, and a worsening of the quality of life” of Stepanek.
«You can continue playing tennis, but the parties suppose a risk ”, added Kolar. EFE