28-09-2009, 08:19 AM
Argentine tennis player Sergio Roitman has announced his intention to retire from professional tennis at the conclusion of the Copa Petrobas, an ATP World Tour Challenger tournament in Buenos Aires. The Buenos Aires native was joined by his life-long coach, Alejandro Lombardo as he made the announcement at the draw ceremony on Saturday.
ââ¬ÅIt is a strange moment for me, but the time has come for me to leave professional tennis,ââ¬Â said Roitman. ââ¬ÅPhysically, I cannot compete at the highest level anymore. I think this is the best place to retire, at a tournament that has given me a lot of pleasure and surrounded by people that have helped me and whom I love very much. I extend my warmest thanks to Ale (Lombardo), because he has always been by my side and with him I have achieved the best victories of my sporting career.ââ¬Â
The 30-year-old Roitman is currently No. 124 in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings. He reached a career-high No. 62 in singles on 8 October 2007, and achieved his highest doubles ranking (No. 45) on 8 September 2008.
During his 14-year career he amassed $1,287,217 in prize money and won two ATP World Tour doubles titles at Amsterdam in 2000 and the ATP Studena Croatia Open in 2001, both with Andres Schneiter.
ââ¬ÅIt is a strange moment for me, but the time has come for me to leave professional tennis,ââ¬Â said Roitman. ââ¬ÅPhysically, I cannot compete at the highest level anymore. I think this is the best place to retire, at a tournament that has given me a lot of pleasure and surrounded by people that have helped me and whom I love very much. I extend my warmest thanks to Ale (Lombardo), because he has always been by my side and with him I have achieved the best victories of my sporting career.ââ¬Â
The 30-year-old Roitman is currently No. 124 in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings. He reached a career-high No. 62 in singles on 8 October 2007, and achieved his highest doubles ranking (No. 45) on 8 September 2008.
During his 14-year career he amassed $1,287,217 in prize money and won two ATP World Tour doubles titles at Amsterdam in 2000 and the ATP Studena Croatia Open in 2001, both with Andres Schneiter.