Barbora Strycova, a former top-ranked doubles player and Wimbledon singles semifinalist, announced her retirement on Tuesday.
“Until now, tennis was the only world I knew,” Strycova said in a statement. “I have always had enormous love for this amazing sport. Even though all the pain, tears, renunciation and sweat, all the great moment(s) and victories were worth it.”
The 35-year-old Czech player previously announced her pregnancy. She is due in September and doesn't plan to return after giving birth.
FILE - In this Tuesday July 9, 2019 file photo, Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova celebrates winning a women's quarterfinal match against Britain's Johanna Konta on day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. Barbora Strycova, a former doubles World No. 1 and Wimbledon singles semifinalist announced her retirement on Tuesday May 4, 2021. (AP PhotoKirsty Wigglesworth, File)
“I never planned to end my career during a pandemic,” she said. “However, some moments in life just can’t be planned and I am super excited for my next life role as a mom.”
Strycova won two WTA singles titles and 31 in doubles.
She was at her best at Wimbledon in 2019, when she won the women’s doubles with Hsieh Su-wei to become No. 1 and reached the singles semifinals, losing to Serena Williams. Her career-high in singles was No. 16.
In 2016, she teamed up with Lucie Safarova to win the bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
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