People come, people go. This is the time of Ivan.
Currently ranked 40th and almost 33 years old (the 19th of March), the Croat decides it is time to move on.
Ivan won 10 career titles (the most important one was at Indian Wells in 2010 where he defeated Djokovic and Nadal), a Davis Cup in 2005 and a bronze medal at the Athens Olympic games in the doubles with mario Ancic.
He served 6 years at the ATP Player Council (in the last 2 he was also the President).
“It’s never an easy decision for any professional athlete to retire,” said Ljubicic. “I look forward to the next stage of my life. Tennis has given me so much and I want to continue to stay involved and contribute in some ways.”
Federer had also his comments of this retirement ‘I have a very good friendship with Ljubicic, and it’s been sad seeing him retiring really since I’ve known about it for quite some time,’ Roger said. ‘We’ve talked at length at times about it, but I think it comes at the right time for him and he’s in a perfect spot with his family. He’s just had a second daughter. He’s had a wonderful career.
‘He’s one of the most feared players on tour. He’s been a wonderful friend to me on tour, and it’s also been very beneficial to the game of tennis, not just on the court but off the court because he’s been part of the political system here. He has a great future ahead in tennis or whatever he wants to do, because he’s a bright man and he’s a great person. It’s sad seeing him go, but he’s had a wonderful career and I can only congratulate him for that.’
Good Luck!!!
Photo credit to Annalisa Barla
