CZECH Tomas Berdych has announced his retirement at the Nitto ATP Finals on Saturday after a 17-year ATP Tour career, citing an ongoing back injury that kept him out of competition for 2018 and parts of 2019.
The 34-year-old had some real highlights over the course of his career, reaching a career-high number four ranking in 2015, and finishing seven straight seasons in the Top 10 (2010-16). Berdych also ranked in the Top 100 for 794 weeks straight over the course of 15 years (2004-2019), only falling outside midway through 2019 and upon retirement was ranked 105. Berdych is renowned for his consistency, composure and impressive forehand, and as a fan favourite among many with plenty of accolades – including 13 ATP Tour titles and reaching the Top 10 across 11 seasons, he has provided plenty of excitement across his decorated career.
While his best result was ultimately making the 2010 Wimbledon final, going down to Rafael Nadal but defeating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the process, Berdych’s skill has certainly lasted through the ages and spanned a real changing of the guard in the tennis world throughout his career.
Berdych told Tennis World USA that he is looking forward to a more relaxed and unstructured lifestyle, with the past 15-20 years of his life well and truly centred around tennis.
“Sport was my life from the time I was a kid until now and I wouldn’t change that, absolutely not. “But if it’s just going to be [my profession] or just as my hobby, I really don’t know. “And I don’t want to know. “I really just want to have every day as a clean slate.”
While his career might be over, Berdych will always be remembered for his powerful serve and hard hitting technique across the ATP Tour. In his home country of Czech Republic, Berdych will be remembered for leading his nation to back-to-back Davis Cup titles in 2012-13. Berdych served up 7184 aces over his career, winning a high 77 per cent first serve points, and 84 per cent of his service games.
Tomas Berdych – Career Summary:
Wins: 640
Losses: 342
Win-loss percentage: 65.2%
Grand Slams:
Titles: 0
Runner-up: 1 (Wimbledon, 2010)
Wins: 146
Losses: 61
Win-loss percentage: 70.5%
Career Titles: 13
3 – Stockholm (2012, 2014, 2015)
2 – Shenzen (2015, 2016)
1 – Palermo (2004), ATP Masters 1000, Paris (2005), Halle (2007), Tokyo (2008), Munich (2009), Bejing (2011), Montpellier (2012), Rotterdam (2014)
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