Federico Coria Faces Retirement Countdown at Villa María
Federico Coria alcanzó las semifinales en el Challenger de Villa María, Infobae reportated. The Argentine professional, carrying 16 years of circuit experience, spoke with the Argentine Tennis Association communication team about his current mindset, physical wear, and a looming deadline he set for his career.
Coria acknowledged that competition no longer brings him joy amid ongoing physical setbacks and doubts. He stated that he would be the happiest person in the world if he did not have to compete anymore, pointing to persistent physical pain and a lack of on-court confidence as heavy burdens during his 16th professional season.
The Psychological Battle Behind 16 Years on Tour
Looking back at his journey from a boy dreaming of the sport to reaching the Top 50, playing in the Olympic Games, and representing Argentina in the Davis Cup under his brother Guillermo as captain, Coria identified a hard-fought internal victory. He admitted that he previously dealt with a destructive mindset that constantly undermined his achievements and dismissed his wins as luck.
“I feel like I had a very destructive head, not valuing myself at all, thinking I was lucky or that my rival played badly,” Coria said. He added that while he lost a thousand battles on that front, he ultimately won the war by achieving substantial goals in professional tennis, highlighted by representing his country alongside his family.
Building a Digital Brand and the Dream of Facing Messi
Away from traditional match play, Coria turned to social media in 2024 at age 32 to cope with career anxieties and the fear of running out of gas professionally. His behind-the-scenes content expanded into tennis lessons featuring entertainment figures and content creators like Luquitas Rodríguez, Coscu, Grego Rossello, Sofi Martínez, and Davo Xeneize to promote the sport to new audiences.
Among his goals for this digital initiative, Coria revealed a specific ambition to share a tennis court with Lionel Messi. The tennis player was invited to Messi’s home in Paris in June 2023 during Roland Garros, shortly before the football star concluded his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
The February 2027 Retirement Ultimatum
Following an elimination at the Challenger de Buenos Aires, Coria established a strict timeline for his professional playing days. He warned that if he does not win a tournament between now and February 2027, he will officially retire from the professional tour.
Whether he transitions entirely to coaching, following the path of his father Oscar "Cacho" Coria who trains young players, or steps away temporarily from the sport remains undecided as he plays his final matches on the circuit.
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