This year has seen numerous major retirements on the WTA Tour, but one player remains committed to her career.
Grand Slam victors like Petra Kvitova have bid farewell to tennis, with her last match taking place at the US Open.
Kvitova is not alone in her retirement, as players like Eugenie Bouchard and Caroline Garcia have also stepped away from the sport.
Magda Linette Squashes Retirement Speculations
Magda Linette, a Polish player who previously reached a career-high ranking of world number 19 and made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2023, has faced significant challenges recently.
Despite her prior success, the current world number 55 has struggled, not winning a Grand Slam match in two years. Nonetheless, she achieved notable victories against Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula this season. However, her season ended with six consecutive losses following a win over Pegula in Cincinnati.
Linette Reflects and Looks Ahead
In a heartfelt social media post, Linette shared her thoughts after completing her 16th year as a professional. She expressed gratitude for the experiences in her career and emphasized the importance of rest and self-care, stating, “Strength doesn’t always mean pace. I have the right to be tired.”
When asked about the recent criticism of the tennis calendar, Linette acknowledged feeling burnout, especially towards the season’s end, citing ongoing health issues and the pressures of mandatory tournaments. She expressed that she was not well-prepared for some events, which impacted her performance.
Linette Commits to Her Future in Tennis
Despite the hurdles, Linette has firmly stated that she’s not considering retirement. “No, I’m not preparing to say goodbye,” the 33-year-old clarified, emphasizing her ongoing readiness to compete at the same level and her healthy condition. She remains optimistic about continuing her tennis journey, hoping to compete for at least three more years.
Linette Opens Up About Challenging Matches
Even after her success at the Australian Open, Linette is currently facing a nine-match losing streak at Grand Slams. Reflecting on her struggles, especially in high-stress scenarios, she mentioned having “nightmares” about her match point loss against Moyuka Uchijima during this year’s Australian Open.
Linette remains determined to compete, with plans to participate in tournaments in Auckland and Hobart ahead of the upcoming Australian Open.
