Greg Retires

Count Zero · Tennis legend

Greg Retires

Salmon · Tennis legend

At least I got to see him play the once - against Blake at USO 2005.

We all knew that this was going to happen but it's hard to accept.

Drew · Apr 7, 2007

He will be missed...his first pro match...July 17th 1989 lost to Martin Blackman at a Challenger in quebec....almost 18 years later now playing for GB his last game is a doubles win...well done Greg...thank you !!!

Salmon · Tennis legend

I always saw him as a replacement for Lloyd. No idea if it'll be true...

dougie · Club Coach

awww thats really sad..... he will be missed heavily tho.... such a great player and guy....always gave his all for GB! true gutsy brit!!

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I was very unsure of the wisdom of playing him, with his almost total lack of match experience in the last half year. I have to admit though that his years of experience and great team spirit carried him through to a great win with Jamie (who certainly did his own part too).

It is probably best that he goes now; he wouldn't want to have to get back to the Challenger circuit grind, and it is best to go out on a high.

scoobsuk · Club Coach

I thought that in a way it was a fairly improbable win for Greg to have - he was already pretty much semi-retired and I also wondered if it was wise to play him - while recognising that on his past efforts alone he deserved the chance.

Well he came up trumps, Jamie Murray came up trumps and there's a certain poetic justice about having a winning debut and a winning swansong on the same court in the same team in the same match. Greg did his bit one last time, helped us get the win in this tie - and then handed the torch over to the next generation.

I thought it was a perfect ending for him - Sampras showed us that there's nothing like retiring on a good win - and that's what this was for Greg, almost against the odds he found enough of the old magic for one last time.

So we have to give thanks to him for his efforts and entertaining for the past decade and more...and look to the future.

He will be missed.

DUSTY DICK · Club Coach

Hope Greg stays involved in Tennis in some way.

He's got plenty of valuble experience to pass on.
He can feel proud of what he has achieved but sadly the time has come.

Ghosting · Lower Club Player

Greg and Tim have given GB best tennis for some years. Their relationship is quite unique though. They could not be more different in personality. The outgoing Henman is a popular dressing-room figure, while Rusedski is more introverted, considered something of a loner.

"We haven't been best of friends, but we haven't been enemies," said Henman after beating Rusedski for the last time at the 2006 US Open. "We've improved each other because we've strived to be better than each other."

I totally agree with Lloyd: "Greg has done a lot for British tennis and he has been underestimated in his career. Reaching the final of the US Open didn't make as big an impact in Britain as it should have done, just because it wasn't Wimbledon, and people don't realise how hard it is to reach number four in the world either. In Davis Cup Greg has always given 110%. And what he has done today is even more admirable considering it was his last match. Greg has written his name into the history of British sport.

Best wishes to you GREG!!!

-- Edited by Ghosting at 18:59, 2007-04-07

-- Edited by Ghosting at 20:57, 2007-04-07

Armchair · County player

Scoobsuk you're so right, it's the changing of the guard.
From the Henman Rusedski dominance of so many years, we have to acknowledge that there will be other players.
I hope we don't fall into the trap of laying it all on Andy, that's why I think it was so important to play Jamie today. And most importantly fanstastic to see him win.

Rochelle · Lower Club Player

Greg has had a great career, I was at this match and like you have said it is like the changing of the guards, Gregs last match and Jamies First ,It was a really great match and Greg made a realy nice speech at the end thanking all the fans etc ,. Do u no that he knows everyone of his fans from his site by name etc ! he has met them all which i think is lovely

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Thanks Greg! Enjoy retirement!

I thought he was a great choice for dubs. The Dutch had no chance against those serves and his lefty serve will have been more like Booties than any of our toher options!

Thanks again Greg!

(ps - what will the GRMB do now?)

Montana Doug · Futures qualifying

Really sad day....I kinda wished he'd have one more run at Wimbledon but totally understand his reasons etc.

Just a great player who always gave his best. Always so sad to see a net rusher leave tennis esp a Brit.

I remember his US Open Final in 1997 well. I had a family bash to attend, wife's family, and wanted to watch the tennis. I still remember my wife saying that there will be other days that Greg and Tim will be in Grand Slam Finals....I believed her, hard to believe that was the only final....back in 1997 I think I really believed both Tim and Greg had a Wimbledon Win in them. Two great players who have given me so many great memories along the way.

Thanks Greg, you will really be missed!

steven · Tennis legend

johnnylad wrote:
(ps - what will the GRMB do now?)

Keep an eye on all the Brits who could be in the DC team by the time he becomes DC captain.

aria81 · Club Coach

It was sad to see him go but not really unexpected. I thought he would have hung around until Wimbledon but he had practically retired already. I wasn't convinced about his selection and voiced it at the time but I am delighted that Andy was fit and the worst case scenario didn't happen of Greg having to struggle through a best of five singles match against younger, fitter guys. It was a great way for him to retire today and it's always better when guys get to go on their terms after a good win as opposed to being forced to retire due to injury or a lack of form. He looks like he's content with his life and his decision and that's all we can hope for. He's been a great servant for the team and he will be missed, although I'm certain that he'll be covering tennis and will stay in the public eye for a long time.

Well done Greg and thanks for everything. Go enjoy your life and your retirement with your family.

-- Edited by aria81 at 04:10, 2007-04-08

-- Edited by aria81 at 04:12, 2007-04-08