Mel South retires

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Mel South retires

philwrig · Hall of fame

Another one bites the dust, big shame, but probably achieved her potential in singles even if it was only for a short spell. We don't know the ins and outs of the decision. Injury/finance maybe contributory factors.

Anyway thanks for all the wonderful memories Mel !

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

I am surprised in a way that Mel retired, just because I always had the impression (from twitter) that she enjoyed the lifestyle of being a professional tennis player, and thought she might give being a doubles specialist a go.

Mel has two career highlights that she can be proud of, making the top 100 and beating Schiavone at Wimbledon. Anne and Bally retiring meant the end of an era for British women's tennis and Mel also retiring just punctuates that.

Good luck to Mel in her new coaching career!

paulisi · Tennis legend

I think Mel was really struggling with foot injuries, so no real suprise.

Exceeded her potential as she made the top 100, though in reality she probabaly wasn't that level. Nice girl - hope she stays in tennis. There is a lack of top class female coaches.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

All the best to Mel; hope it's not injury that's forced her decision but I think she's got the making of a great coach so good luck to her.

As a side point, doesn't there seems to be a remarkably high number of top GB women with foot problems ? Anna Smith, Mel, Jess Ren, Anna Fitz . . . I assume this is just a coincidence but it's a bit weird. . . .

Peter too · Tennis legend

That's sad, she is the last of the original six racing to be the 1st to break into the top 100. Anne, Bally, Katie and Mel made it but Naomi C and Georgie S/G had to pack up early due to health/fitness problems. I seem to remember a rash of foot problems when they opened the new tennis centre in London, I think Georgie S/G might have been one that suffered foot problems after training there.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Sad to see Mel go too. The girls are dropping like flies now.

Followed Mel since she was a junior. Feels like another end of a era with both Mel and Katie gone.

DF · Tennis legend

Enjoy the rest of your life, Mel, whatever you end up doing

steven · Tennis legend

Peter too wrote:
That's sad, she is the last of the original six racing to be the 1st to break into the top 100. Anne, Bally, Katie and Mel made it but Naomi C and Georgie S/G had to pack up early due to health/fitness problems. I seem to remember a rash of foot problems when they opened the new tennis centre in London, I think Georgie S/G might have been one that suffered foot problems after training there.

I remember the early NTC foot problems too - we wondered then if there might be a link so it's interesting (i.e. a bit worrying) that there seems to be a another spate of foot problems now. Then again, they can't be that uncommon among tennis players, so maybe we shouldn't read too much into ti, but I hope someone has investigated the possibility of a link at some point.

It's really sad to see Mel retire - not hugely unexpected maybe, but she's the last of the four Brits who made the WTA singles top 100 in the noughties to go and they have all gone in remarkably quick succession without being particularly old

My "all the stats you could ever want to know about Mel and a few more besides" summary is the latest addition to the list of ex-top 200 retiring player bios at http://bit.ly/Ijvz2D - it's been a bit (understatement!) rushed in any free moments today so please shout if there are any glaring errors!

N.B. If Bloomers or Boggo are feeling like retiring any time soon, they'll have to wait (... please!) wink

Priesty · Challenger level

Always sad to see a player retire. I wonder how badly affected psychologically she was by losing to Larcher de Brito in the first round of the French in '09 having won the first set to love and coming within touching distance in the 2nd and 3rd which she lost 7-6 and 7-5. If I remember her results went downhill quite quickly after that.

TomTraubert · Futures level

:( for me cos i luvved supporting mel
:) for mel cos she always seems so interested in so many things, and now has time to pursue all of them to her hearts content and let her creativity overflow
shed be a great mentor
well done on a fine career & best wishes mel

the baton and the challenge is now fully passed... im sure though that we have ladies coming through to pick it up and run with it as good and as lovely as those that went before

adz1983 · Intermediate Club Player

Priesty wrote:
Always sad to see a player retire. I wonder how badly affected psychologically she was by losing to Larcher de Brito in the first round of the French in '09 having won the first set to love and coming within touching distance in the 2nd and 3rd which she lost 7-6 and 7-5. If I remember her results went downhill quite quickly after that.

I actually watched this match live at Roland Garros. Desperately close but the MLdeB shrieking was unbearable. Nick Bolletieri was in the stands watching his protegee. Have never seen such a tan! I wish Mel had gone on to win that match. All the talk of her lack of movement didnt seem to be an issue on that day. MLdeB just going for some crazy shots.