He was 16 years old, an eternity ago, when

Tommy Robredo

made his professional debut precisely here, in a Godó, with victories against

Davide Sanguinetti

and a whole

Marat Safin

, then number 25 in the world.

He was 23 years old, still a long time ago, when Tommy Robredo placed himself among the best precisely here, in a Godó, with a title against

Gastón Gaudio

, who shortly after would triumph at Roland Garros.

He was 39 years old, not long ago, this Monday, when Tommy Robredo retired precisely here, in a Godó, as he wanted, in what must be considered another success of his career.

Neither an exaggerated chain of injuries nor a pandemic managed to get him to retire from the sofa: he wanted to leave like this, with an audience in his stands, with his family cheering him on from the box, and he did.

His defeat in the first round of the 'home' tournament against the young

Bernabé Zapata

was the least of it.

Robredo dropped the racket under the applause that his career deserved, his 12 ATP titles, that number five in the world ranking, his three Davis Cups.

"I don't know if it was the perfect ending, but it's the one I've had to live through. I wanted to retire at my home tournament, at my club, so I've extended this moment for a year. I didn't want to say goodbye without an audience and above all without my parents seeing me from the stands", acknowledged Robredo, of a simple character.

Despite the fact that throughout his career he left some memorable victories, against

Lleyton Hewitt

at Roland Garros in 2003 or against

Roger Federer

at the US Open in 2013, his closing was close, humble, calm: "I have had many obstacles, like all, and I've been able to jump over them. Wanting to turn around all the impediments helps you get to the top. I've always given my best, so I'm very calm. I got what I deserved".

Young success and many injuries

Baptized Tommy as a tribute from his father to his favorite group, The Who, it was his own father, Ángel, a qualified coach, who taught him to play tennis until he left Olot for CAR Sant Cugat.

He stood out young, winning the 1998 Under-16 Orange Bowl, and later made consistency, stamina and regularity his main virtues.

He up to five times he reached the quarterfinals of Roland Garros while hoarding more or less important tournaments.

The most, the 2006 Hamburg Masters 1000, along with an ATP Tour 500, that Godó of 2004, and up to ten ATP 250.

In 2006, his best year, he became fifth in the world and finished the season seventh and, therefore, part of the Masters Cup.

At the end of 2015, an injury to the sole of his left foot was the beginning of the torment that separated him from the elite, although he would still return two years later with results.

In the last two seasons, he had barely played games, more so after the birth of his daughter,

Alexia

, a year ago.

"The main reason for my retirement is because I have other priorities. Since the pandemic I have enjoyed my family a lot," he commented after the last game of his 891 as a professional, this Monday, here at Godó, of course.


Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

Know more

  • tennis