By Alberto Amalfi | Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Former world No. 6 Carla Suárez Navarro announced she will retire following the 2020 season—with major goal for her farewell season.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
One of the WTA's most wondrous one-handed backhands will strike its final shot next year.
Carla Suárez Navarro announced today she will close the curtain on her glorious career following the 2020 season.
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The former world No. 6 said recurring injuries and her desire to spend more time with her family and less time traveling the global circuit were key components in her retirement decision.
"2020 will be my last year as a professional tennis player," Suárez Navarro said at a press conference in Spain. "Tennis has given me so much more than I could imagine when I started playing with twelve years.
"I am beginning to have other priorities and tennis is a very demanding sport that requires many sacrifices. This last year will be just as intense and demanding. The objectives are clear and both my team and I are committed to make it as professional as possible."
The 31-year-old Spaniard is known for her signature stroke, a brilliant one-handed backhand, her quick court coverage and skill playing varied spins and speeds.
Suárez Navarro reached a career-high rank of No. 6 on February 29th, 2016, shortly after winning her second career title in Doha.
Currently ranked No. 55, Suárez Navarro has captured two singles titles and contested nine WTA Finals, including the 2015 Miami and Rome finals.
The baseliner from the Canary Islands is a three-time Australian Open quarterfinalist and a two-time quarterfinalist at both Roland Garros and the US Open.
The 5'4" Spaniard has won three doubles titles—all partnering Garbine Muguruza—and advanced to six doubles finals, including the 2015 WTA Finals.
Suárez Navarro aims to go out with a bang setting ambitious goals for her final professional season.
"I want to finish Top 10," she said. "I still have the level to get it and it will be my main goal.
"The Grand Slam will be very important and another goal will be the Tokyo Olympics. We have until May to qualify. We will try to add some more tournament to the winners."