Los Angeles United States /
The tennis player Monica Puigfirst athlete from Puerto Rico to win an Olympic gold, announced this Monday his retirement from the slopes at the age of 28.
The winner of the tennis tournament in Rio 2016 He had been struggling for several years with numerous injuries, which prevented him from trying to repeat a medal at Tokyo 2020.
“For the last 28 years of my life, tennis has been my constant. It has given me some of the most exciting and memorable experiences I could have ever asked for. But, sometimes good things come to an end. Today I announce my retirement from tennisPuig wrote on his Instagram account.
“After a three-year struggle with injuries and four surgeries, my body had enough“, lament.
After two years off, the tennis player tried to return to competition last April but in her last two games she was beaten by Danielle Collins at the Madrid Open and had to retire against Fiona Ferro at the Saint Malo Open 35.
In his record, Puig has a WTA title achieved in Strasbourg in 2014. Two years later he reached the 26th place in the ranking, the best of his career. His best Grand Slam result was a Wimbledon round of 16 in 2013.
Puig thanked the support received during his career from his family, sponsors and fans, especially in Puerto Rico.
The player became a sports heroine in her country with her unexpected triumph at the Rio 2016 tennis tournament, where the first Olympic gold was hung in the history of his country and the first of a Latin American tennis player.
“Puerto Rico, thank you for always supporting me. For being my strength and my home. Thank you for bringing me so much joy and love”, said the player from San Juan. “Listening to our anthem on the podium for the first time in history with a gold medal, will always be the most beautiful memory of my life and career”.
In 2021, Puig had to give up competing at the Tokyo Games due to a second surgery on his right shoulder. In that announcement, the tennis player had expressed her desire to have a new Olympic experience in Paris 2024.
Puig had also been working as a tennis commentator for the network ESPN and this Monday he advanced that he will dedicate himself to this task full time, in addition to exploring consulting functions for young tennis players and academies.
FCM
