Annie K retires.....

Priesty · Challenger level

Annie K retires.....

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

I can remember the first half of Anne's career when she seemed destined not to make it into the top 100, so I was really impressed when she not only got there but managed to stay well inside the top 100 for lengthy spells. Clearly the injury in 2009 put an end to any chance of her pushing on towards the top 30; she did well to get back inside the top 100 before her most recent injury problems began to restrict her. The match against Marion Bartoli in Stanford 2008 stands out as the best performance I can recall. She lost 3-6 6-1 5-7 but some of her tennis that day was just awesome. Later that summer she reached the 3rd round of US Open losing to Elena Dementieva.

Listening to her commentating during Wimbledon, I thought she was really good, especially compared to the likes of Tim, Andrew Castle and John Lloyd.

-- Edited by kundalini on Wednesday 24th of July 2013 02:19:04 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Given her injuries, she's put up with a lot. Time for a new chapter and one, as she says, which will almost certainly involve tennis - I would have thought the LTA and her are already talking about possibilites - Anne would be a great asset. Or maybe something tennis-y a bit different.

best of luck to her.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Not suprised - Anne has been struggling with foot and ankle problems for a while now and it's just been a battle to get fit.

I hope she goes into the LTA coaching role - the lTA are desperately short of female coaches by all accounts hence why they are pushing the likes of Jane O'Donoghue and several other ex players to progress up the ladder.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

I'm surprised only because Anne mentioned during Wimbledon commentary that she had no plans to retire. But her ranking has dropped off, she has an on-going injury problem and has just been announced as part of the BT commentary team so has a good way to start her post tennis career so seems like a sensible decision.

I certainly wish Anne the best of luck, she was the leading British player for a number of years and I think she could have a successful career in commentary.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

The correct decision for a number of reasons I think injuries and form combined with current ability means she was below the standard f the top 300 so that was never going to be enough for her.

Seems a nice lass and had a good career maximising her ability to get top 50. Good luck to her for the future.

I wonder if Bally will be next.....

paulisi · Tennis legend

Bally will almost certainly be next - but when is the question. She is a fighter and i cannot see her giving up unless she has another really bad injury.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Maximum til Wimbledon next year for bally I feel she is still capable of top 150-200 at a push just now and should be ranked highly enough for US open qualies to at least give that a go.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well, just on age, Bally is the obvious next in line.

But I think, as long as she's not injured, she'll be around for at least two more years, and there's no reason not to - she's been playing well and it's what she said quite specifically.

On the flip side, any injury would probably be enough to call it a day (although not necessarily of course - just look at the likes of Robredo . . )

scottie1 · Futures level

I think Anne has been struggling in the lasy 18 months and can understand that the motivation factor has gone. I think Bally is the opposite still motivated to get back into top 100. I wish Anne well but do we really need another British female commentator ????????????. I think Sam Smith is the only decent one we have!

Jan · Hall of fame

Good luck to Anne for the future!

scottie1 · Futures level

kundalini wrote:
I can remember the first half of Anne's career when she seemed destined not to make it into the top 100, so I was really impressed when she not only got there but managed to stay well inside the top 100 for lengthy spells. Clearly the injury in 2009 put an end to any chance of her pushing on towards the top 30; she did well to get back inside the top 100 before her most recent injury problems began to restrict her. The match against Marion Bartoli in Stanford 2008 stands out as the best performance I can recall. She lost 3-6 6-1 5-7 but some of her tennis that day was just awesome. Later that summer she reached the 3rd round of US Open losing to Elena Dementieva.

Listening to her commentating during Wimbledon, I thought she was really good, especially compared to the likes of Tim, Andrew Castle and John Lloyd.

-- Edited by kundalini on Wednesday 24th of July 2013 02:19:04 PM

Not a difficult standard of commentator to better. Love Tim as a player but as a commentator he is very wooden but the BBC love him! Castle annoys me never made through to any majors in grand slams eg quater finals or better but has the cheek to be negative about andy murray. LLoyd will the davis Cup says it all ==clueless no motivation skills!

Back To Anne I think she is a very nice person I am sad to see her finish

PockyTastic · Futures level

Ill miss Anne on court especially when it gets to the indoor season. Her runs at Luxembourg in recent years have made great viewing. As has been said, she has achieved a lot and can leave tennis with her head held high. With her latest injuries coming so late in her career and limiting her movement and chances this year, it seems like the right move. I'm glad she nabbed a title this year and made her 1st WTA final so its wasn't all doom and gloom.... Her commentating at Wimbledon was solid - she doesn't feel the need to waffle on unnecessarily. Less is sometimes more (some Castle et al need to remember). All the best to her, she will be sorely missed.

Armchair · County player

I'm sorry to see Anne retire but I think she's chosen the right time and wish her every success in her new career.

DF · Tennis legend

Sorry to hear that she has decided to leave the tennis courts as it were.However it would have been a struggle to continue and I agree with Armchair that she's chosen the right time to go.
Despite her injuries she still loves tennis.

I wish her all the best in her future career.