Nikolay Davydenko Officially Announces Retirement from Professional Tennis

  Nikolay Davydenko, a former world No. 3, officially announced his retirement from professional tennis on Thursday afternoon in a press conference at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Considered one of the greatest Russian competitors in the history of the ATP World Tour, Davydenko peaked in 2009, where he won his third Masters 1000 title as well as the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals a month later. While he never made a Grand Slam final, Davydenko managed four semi-finals and helped win the Davis Cup title for Russia in 2006. “I am 33 years old,” began the Russian, who has won just six tour-level matches this season after struggling to come back from injury. “I won 21 ATP World Tour tournaments, including three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. I don’t have any regrets about not winning a Grand Slam or not being No. 1 in the world. I was in the Top 10 for some years. “Unfortunately, for some years now, I have been struggling with injuries. It’s hard for me to talk about it. I have been thinking when to announce it. The time has come. I have my whole life to live. I officially announce my retirement from professional tennis.” Now married and with a daughter and a growing family, Davydenko took the decision to retire following the French Open, where he lost to Robin Haase in the opening round of the tournament. “I decided to retire in June after Roland Garros,” continued Davydenko. “I felt I could not play at the level I used to play at. I practised twice a day, but I felt I couldn’t achieve the result I wanted. But I was waiting for the moment when I would wake up and say to myself it was enough.”

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