Post by Admin on Jul 13, 2017 20:13:54 GMT
"I'm super happy," Hantuchova told WTA Insider at Wimbledon, where she is serving as a commentator for Fox Sports Asia. "I thought it was going to be the most difficult decision of my life, and it was. It took me a while to make this step, but once I did it I just feel such incredible joy, happiness, relief in a way. All the emotions are coming together in an incredible and beautiful way. I'm looking at everything that's happening to me with such appreciation that I feel like I couldn't have chosen a better time."
The rangy Slovakian, who will be remembered for her fluid groundstrokes, incredible work ethic, and love for the game, was an accomplished singles and doubles player who won seven singles titles, highlighted by two title runs at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in 2002 and 2007. She also won nine doubles titles and became just the fifth player in the Open Era to complete the mixed doubles career Grand Slam.
"After Madrid, after I had a stress fracture in my rib I couldn't do anything for months," Hantuchova said. "Those are the times you start to think about everything. I started to be focused on my own business and it's been going so well and I started spending all my time doing that, suddenly there was one day that I realized I didn't go to practice, I didn't go to the gym and I actually enjoyed that. I tried to ignore it, but for two weeks I tried to think about it a little more. Suddenly I just realized it was time for a new chapter in life.
"Tennis has given me so much and I'm so thankful for everything that has happened, the good and the bad, but I don't think I would be the person that I am today without all of it. Just having that appreciation for being part of the most beautiful sport in the world, it felt like the right time."
WTA Insider: How different is the Dani that stands here now having hung up her racquet compared to that 16-year-old who made her debut in Bratislava 18 years ago?
Hantuchova: I think in many ways the same. That excitement and the not knowing, I feel the same right now. I've closed one chapter of my life and I have no idea where the next one will bring me, but I have the same butterfly feeling inside of my stomach like I had when I joined the tour. So it's the same but maybe with a little bit more experience.
WTA Insider: How has tennis shaped your life?
Hantuchova: It's been my life. It's been in my DNA ever since I was five years old. I realize that the people and the things you truly love, you can never leave. So I'm not leaving the sport. I'm just leaving the part where I'm traveling 10 months in the year and competing and traveling with my tennis bag on my shoulder at every single airport.
Tennis has been the biggest love of my life so far. I hope the next one will be the real one, in a different way. It's been everything. It's in my DNA and it always will be.