The time to hang up the racket has arrived for the Spanish Feliciano López. The 41-year-old tennis player ended his career after concluding his participation in the Mexican Tennis Open. Although his legacy will remain there, since he was doubles champion in 2022 along with Stefanos Tsitsipas, which was one of the six titles he won in the category, while in singles he managed to add seven on the ATP tour.
However, after falling defeated by American Frances Taifoe In the second round, it was time to say goodbye to the pigs, a situation that left López satisfied, since He withdrew in a setting as splendid as the one experienced in the 30th edition of the AMT.
How does Feliciano López feel after his retirement?
The first thing he said sportsman It was how he felt in front of his retirement.
“I feel very lucky to have been able to live all what has happened here since I arrived is the best way to say goodbye playing against the best in the world and being competitive, enjoying it. I decided that I was going to retire, that was clear to me, but I didn’t know how I was going to do it.”
commented that this it was his first tournament since he announced his retirement from the game.
“I didn’t know if I just wanted to say it’s over or if I was retiring playing, which is what I like the most and in the end what I decided, I think it was a success. This was the first tournament after I announced that I was not going to play anymore. I thought that the best way to say goodbye to 20 years of career and a lifetime playing tennis is doing what I like the most and in the tournaments where I feel best“.
Winner of the French Open in doubles with Marc López in 2016, the most outstanding triumph of his career, Feliciano López is also recognized for being the tennis player with the most appearances in history in main draws in tour tournaments and with more appearances in Grand Slams tied with Roger Federer.
This situation full of flattery, since he is aware of the great time that he had to live in tennis.
“All of us who have lived through this generation of tennis are very lucky. Obviously, there is always ‘what would have happened if there had been no Federer, Nadal and Djokovic?’But the way I see it, I feel lucky to have been able to play against the best three in tennis history.”
Continuous mentioning that you are satisfied because of the place where they have put the tennis.
“They have magnified everything in a brutal wayThey have put tennis at a level where it was not and that has helped all of us not only to improve our level, but also for the circuit to grow exponentially in the last 15 years, 20 years. Thanks to them, tennis has generated much more interest at all levels”.
Now the Spanish sees in Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas to the figures to follow over the next decade. Unfortunately, the Greek left Acapulco due to a shoulder injury and for the same reason, together with Feliciano, they could not defend the doubles crown. That title is one of the best memories that the left-handed player takes from all his visits to Mexico.
“The personal lesson is the hospitality of the people in MexicoI can say that they are the most affectionate people, at least with the Spanish. There is an amazing culture in this country. The treatment is exceptional in every way, that’s why I like this country so much and many other things. On the sporting side I have great memories, maybe winning last year with Stefanos”.
Feliciano has been one of the most constant tennis players in the Latin American ATP 500 and for the same reason he was a direct spectator of the evolution of the tournament that celebrates three decades of existence as the Mexican Tennis Open.
“The greatest example is the stadium we are in, it would not have happened without 30 years of work. The change of surface in my opinion, that gave them the plus to be able to have the tournament they have today. It was the best tournament of the Latin American tour by far, that’s the reality. They are the best in the world. I am lucky to work in a tournament as well and I know how difficult it is, that’s why every year they have the draw they have, everyone wants to be here”.
Professional since 1997, he became number 12 in the world in 2015and facing the moment of hanging up the racket, he confesses the mixture of emotions he experiences.
“You have to bear the sadness of not having to chase the yellow ball around the world. I still have fear because when you have been doing something for 20 years, you are always afraid of what comes next. That happens to many players and athletes, they are afraid to retire because they don’t know what will happen after tennis. In the end we’ve been doing this all our lives. Since I can remember I have been with a racket in my hand, traveling all over the world”.
What’s next for Feliciano López?
He ended by expressing what he likes most about this whole experience and whether or not he will be a coach.
“I like the fact that I can share what I have experienced. The fact of being a coach is something that could be, not in the short term, it all depends, In the end, tennis has given me a lot and being able to share them with a player is nice. Let’s see what life has in store for us, it is a possibility that I consider in the future”.
