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Andrea Petkovic to retire from tennis

August 29, 2022

The German tennis player will wave goodbye to the sport in the coming weeks, though she doesn't know if the US Open will be her last event or whether she will choose a setting "which is closer to my family and friends."

https://p.dw.com/p/4GA0d
German tennis player Andrea Petkovic
Petkovic achieved her best world ranking of nine in 2011 and waves goodbye to the sport after 16 years as a professionalImage: Hasan Bratic/dpa/picture alliance

German tennis player Andrea Petkovic has announced that she is retiring from professional tennis, indicating she would likely step away after the US Open.

"I'm still leaving the option open to add a tournament in Europe, which is a bit closer to my family and friends — but in general, this is my last tournament," the 34-year-old said in an interview with German broadcaster ARD on Sunday.

"Maybe it's already over here in New York," she added.

Injuries take their toll after 16 years on the tour

After 16 years on the tour, the former top 10 player didn't give any reasons for her announcement, though in recent years the injuries have been mounting up, undergoing knee surgery in 2020. As recently as July, the German was unable to finish her match against Annet Kontaveit in Hamburg after suffering an adductor injury, leaving the court in tears.

She is due to play Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday.

A few days ago she posted a cryptic training video on Instagram saying she was changing direction forever. 

Petkovic has won nine WTA singles titles since turning professional at the age of 18.

She also reached the 2014 French Open semifinals and made the quarterfinals of both the Australian and US Open.

Petkovic reached the final with the German Fed Cup team in 2014, losing to the Czech Republic.

The US Open will also be the last tournament of US tennis star Serena Williams's career.

lo/jsi (dpa, SID)