ATP: "Ciao, Paolo Lorenzi" - the Italian has resigned
With Paolo Lorenzi, the ATP tour has lost a real fighter on the tennis court. A little after-song for the indomitable late starter.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit:
Aug 28, 2021, 11:50 pm
It was a farewell that he had wished for, but actually completely different. Paolo Lorenzi carefully chose the US Open 2021 as the last tournament of his long career. Since the Italian had slipped significantly in the world rankings in recent months, a walk through the qualification mills was inevitable. And just there in the second round - because of the COVID security measures without spectators - the multifaceted career of the Roman came to an end. The 39-year-old was defeated by Frenchman Maxime Janvier 4: 6 and 3: 6. Lorenzi would have liked to personally say goodbye to his fans in the main competition. Sometimes life is just unfair.
“No more professional tennis. That's what I thought of when I decided to quit in New York. I've always loved New York, I think it's a good place to end, ”Lorenzi told ATPTour.com after his last appearance on the men's traveling circus. “Everything was more difficult and I had some injuries at the beginning of the year. So I knew that my body is no longer what it used to be. You have to know when it's time to finish. ”The southern European gave everything in his last match as well, something that had distinguished him throughout his career. In the last game he fended off three match points and earned another break ball, but the 24-year-old from northern France finally served.
A record man at the age of 34
“I always wanted to end every match in such a way that I wanted to give my best at every chance, every opportunity. I hope that I will always remember it well, ”emphasized Lorenzi. The US Open was always a special highlight for today's American by choice. “Every time I've been here I've been happy, that's why I chose New York. It is strange. I know, of course, that a part of my life is over now, the best part for sure. I was very lucky. My passion was my work, I couldn't ask for more from life. But I'm also happy because I've always done my best. I've always wanted to play tennis professionally since I was young. I did it, ”summed up Lorenzi, who has been based in Florida for several years.
The tough biter will remain in good memory of the fans in Austria. In 2016 Lorenzi won the title at the ATP World Tour 250 event in Kitzbühel. It was the right-hander's first and only tournament victory, mind you, when he was only 34 years old. This also makes Lorenzi the sole record holder. Nobody in the history of the ATP Tour has been able to achieve a premier victory at the highest level at an advanced age - by the way, back then with a 6: 3, -6: 4 victory over the Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili. In doubles, the 21-time Challenger champion also won a clay court tournament at ATP Tour level: In 2013 Lorenzi and his compatriot Potito Starace secured the title in Vina del Mar with a 6: 2, 6: 4 victory over Juan Monaco (Argentina) and the great Rafael Nadal. The southerner was also able to book three finals in the individual (2014 Sao Paulo, 2017 Quito, Umag) on the credit side.
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And what happens now? At this year's Wimbledon tournament, Lorenzi conducted interviews with greats like Roger Federer for Sky Italia, and a similar collaboration is also planned for the ATP finals in November. But he could also imagine a job as a trainer: “I want to share my passion with everyone else. I hope it will work. ”Lorenzi also thanked his wife, Elisa, and the rest of his family for their support. And of course also with his fans: “I hope that they will remember me as a player who always tried to give his best on the pitch and who always fought to the end. That was the best trip of my life. I really enjoyed every moment. Every time I stood there, it was a dream that came true. "
The tennisnet.com team would also like to thank Paolo Lorenzi for many unforgettable tennis matches and wish the likeable Italian all the best for the future. "Ciao ragazzo", see you.