18-10-2005, 12:46 PM
Stopt Alberto Costa ermee?
Op de toernooisite van Madrid is dit bericht te lezen:
End of the road beckons for disillusioned Costa
Madrid (dpa) - A straight-sets loss to an Argentine qualifier could drive a nail into the coffin of Albert Costa's career after the worst possible start Monday at the 2.1-million-euros Madrid Masters.
South American Agustin Calleri put the boot into the 2002 French Open champion with a 6-0, 7-5 decision. The latest dis-heartening result has left the 30-year-old Costa considering retirement after a dozen years in the sport.
He will take a month off after dropping to 13-17 during a sad season where he has played mainly -and poorly- on the clay where he made his name.
"It's very difficult to be playing at the top level for so long. I'm 30 and I've been a professional for 12 years," said the Spaniard, ranked 102. "I'll take a month off and then see if I recover the strength and motivation to carry on. If not, it won't be worth it."
Costa last won a match two months ago. He stood 1-1 against Calleri coming in, but had little to offer in the 74-minute disappointment indoors in the capital. Costa dropped to 2-3 in Madrid, where he became the only man to lose to Briton Tim Henman here.
"It's possible that that was my last game," Costa said after going out to Calleri. "But I'm not completely sure." The veteran said that the grind of training is wearing him down and he wonders if the cost of staying on court is really worth it.
"It's an effort. I have a family and my motivation is weaker. I have a knee which hurts and I had an operation. You play week after week and become weaker and unsure."
Op de toernooisite van Madrid is dit bericht te lezen:
End of the road beckons for disillusioned Costa
Madrid (dpa) - A straight-sets loss to an Argentine qualifier could drive a nail into the coffin of Albert Costa's career after the worst possible start Monday at the 2.1-million-euros Madrid Masters.
South American Agustin Calleri put the boot into the 2002 French Open champion with a 6-0, 7-5 decision. The latest dis-heartening result has left the 30-year-old Costa considering retirement after a dozen years in the sport.
He will take a month off after dropping to 13-17 during a sad season where he has played mainly -and poorly- on the clay where he made his name.
"It's very difficult to be playing at the top level for so long. I'm 30 and I've been a professional for 12 years," said the Spaniard, ranked 102. "I'll take a month off and then see if I recover the strength and motivation to carry on. If not, it won't be worth it."
Costa last won a match two months ago. He stood 1-1 against Calleri coming in, but had little to offer in the 74-minute disappointment indoors in the capital. Costa dropped to 2-3 in Madrid, where he became the only man to lose to Briton Tim Henman here.
"It's possible that that was my last game," Costa said after going out to Calleri. "But I'm not completely sure." The veteran said that the grind of training is wearing him down and he wonders if the cost of staying on court is really worth it.
"It's an effort. I have a family and my motivation is weaker. I have a knee which hurts and I had an operation. You play week after week and become weaker and unsure."