Esther Vergeer Has Retired

[Ti-Amie]

http://www.talkabouttennis.com/tenni...her-retirement

[Moose]

Has there ever been a more dominant presence in any sport at the most elite level of the game?

Back when we used to do our "10 Questions" series with tennis stars, Esther was kind enough to participate (thanks to Koffie's efforts) - for those that are relatively new to the forum, here's a link to Esther's "sit down" with TAT:

http://www.talkabouttennis.com/tenni...geer-interview

[Woody]

Retired at 31? That's surprising. I wonder if she just got bored from the lack of challenge.

I just read on Wiki that they actually play a division called "Quads"; that is, people who have no use of legs or arms. And they play in electric chairs with a racquet taped to their arm...

[Scotty]

I am as or more surprised by this as I am by the Pope's resignation.

[Ribbons]

I just read a piece at Tennis Grandstand that included the following, from her new book:

“During the Australian Open, where everyone in the wheelchair tennis circuit was playing the first Grand Slam of 2013, I was sitting home on the sofa with Marijn, watching the matches quietly from a distance and at the same time looking at the beautiful snowy landscape in Woerden. It felt wonderful. I made my decision, I quit. ...

“I am very proud of my achievements and my titles, and am looking back on my career with a wonderful feeling. Continuing had no added value … It can’t become more beautiful than this.”

http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/2013...sGrandStand%29

[winston]

CNN had her retirement on their sports ticker.

[shtexas]

Great champion. Sorry to see her go.

[GlennHarman]

As someone else mentioned above, there has rarely been such a dominant force in any elite-level sport. She is a phenomenal athlete. I wish her all the best in retirement. She will be missed. GH

[kandi]

Esther has been a fixture on the wheelchair circuit for so long - I forget how many titles she has won, 400+ --- she's done everything there is to achieve. She will be missed - and I wish her the happiest of retirements, she certainly has deserved to rest and enjoy the rest of her life. SOOO glad that we are not saying RIP -- and only "happy retirement".