‘That Was the Hardest Part’ – Retiring German Star Intends to Sit With Serena Williams About the Massive Pressure to Deliver at US Open 2022

Andrea Petkovic, like Serena Williams, has announced her retirement from tennis after the US Open. Petkovic, the former World No.9, fell 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to World No.13 Belinda Bencic in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday. 

After 16 years on the WTA tour, the former top ten players made her announcement. Because of the increasing number of injuries and niggles, she found it difficult to maintain a regular schedule of games and training. The German was unable to complete her match against Annet Kontaveit in Hamburg due to an adductor injury and left the court in tears.

Petkovic joins Serena Williams in announcing her retirement from tennis

Petkovic stated that she had planned to announce her retirement a few weeks ago, but that her plans were derailed when American icon, Serena Williams, stated in Vogue magazine that the US Open would also be her final tournament.

She added that she had a lot of respect for Williams, the 23-time grand slam winner who entered the second round on Monday amid a lot of hype. Also, she stated that might get a chance to talk to Williams after the tournament. “I wonder how Serena did it, I really do. Maybe I’ll get a chance to talk to her after the tournament is done for her. But that was the hardest part.”

Petkovic’s emotional farewell at the US Open showed the importance of tennis to the German. The 34-year-old wasn’t the only one in tears on the court. The fans also felt the weight of the moment after she announced her retirement after the U.S. Open.

ALSO READ- Serena Williams and Venus Williams Get Special Scheduling for Their Doubles Match

She talked about her retirement after the match. “It was just pure sadness, which is also sometimes nice in a way. It was very pure. It wasn’t really negative. It was just exhausting.” 

The German added, “I think for me I still love the game, still have a tremendous amount of passion for the game.”

WTA tour of Andrea Petkovic

She won seven singles titles on the Hologic WTA Tour, the most recent in Charleston. She also reached the French Open semifinals in 2014, as well as the quarterfinals of the Australian and US Opens.

Petkovic represented Germany in the Fed Cup final in 2014, where they were defeated by the Czech Republic, Petkovic, who is currently ranked No.104, achieved a career-high ranking of No.9 in 2011. This made her the first German woman to do so since Steffi Graf in 1999.

Watch This Story – Serena Williams once revealed her dislike for money but made a huge exception for daughter Olympia