Molik announces shock retirement
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Farewell... Alicia Molik won doubles titles at the French and Australian Opens. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)
Australian tennis player Alicia Molik has retired from the sport because she feels physically and mentally worn out from a string of setbacks and injuries.
The 27-year-old had looked on track to be a genuine singles contender at grand slams when she reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 Australian Open.
But the Olympic bronze medallist was never able to recapture the form that saw her world ranking peak at number eight in early 2005 as she was physically unable to stand up without fear of over-balancing due to the effects of the inner ear virus.
Molik has more recently been plagued by leg and arm injuries and said the decision to quit the sport was made easier.
"It's tiring and it's very draining but I guess it's a number of things culminating," she said.
"I've spent a lot of time thinking. I did have a huge setback three years ago, with my middle ear problem.
"It took a while to get back and since then I've just struggled with a few more things that I never imagined would come along the way.
"But that isn't the only thing. I think I'm still young enough to focus my energies on something that I feel is again challenging."
The charismatic player won five WTA singles titles and seven in doubles including the French and Australian Opens during her career.
The Athens bronze medallist said that reaching the recent Beijing Olympics had been a major goal for her.
But unfortunately she bowed out in the opening round 6-1, 6-1 to lowly-ranked Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.
-AFP
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Comments (24)
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Steve:
05 Sep 2008 8:32:25am
Well Done on your career.
Best of luck in the future.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Matt:
05 Sep 2008 8:41:06am
Thanks for the memories Alicia !!
Hopefully she will take up a coaching role . . .Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Eric:
05 Sep 2008 8:51:49am
Sad to see Alicia go, I think that she has represented us well in the world of professional tennis.
We seem to be going through a tennis drought at the moment and her departure will add to the growing lack of representation at the elite professional level.
The new Brisbane Tennis Centre at Tennyson is approaching completion and with the outstanding athletes and sports stars that Queensland produces we may see a trend reversal.
Queensland should get all of the federal sports funding pushed their way as they are clearly better at producing international sporting stars.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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NSW:
05 Sep 2008 9:58:28am
Sure Queensland gave us Pat Rafter and Rod Laver, but we would never have had the likes of Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Tony Roche, John Newcombe or Margaret Court... in fact many more tournaments and grand slams have been won by New South Wales players than Queensland players (or any other state). Sorry to rain on your parade, sunshine!
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Eric:
05 Sep 2008 10:51:23am
I am talking about the future, not the past. There is no point dwelling on past glories when the competitive sporting world has moved on.
Whatever is in the water up there in Queensland must be working. Why not move the AIS from Canberra to Brisbane? Obviously they are better able to develop athletes who are capable of competing in the 21st century and they are not retarded by 20th century glories.
Clearly, NSW is very broken and it is time to move on.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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GeoffB:
05 Sep 2008 8:55:47am
A real pity. Alicia was a very talented and charming person. No temper tantrums, no excuses.
I hope she succeeds at whatever she chooses to do now.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Tennis Freak:
05 Sep 2008 9:15:10am
The cry of "Nice legs Alicia!" to be heard no more around Melbourne Park. A humble and talented lady, thanks for the memories.
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wamut:
05 Sep 2008 9:25:00am
It is sad, but she has really been struggling lately.
Yeah, Australia isn't really shining in world tennis at the moment, but for a change the Aussie women aren't lagging behind the men. Casey Dellacqua and Sam Stosur are doing better than Lleyton and Chris Guccione.
Sorry to see you go Alicia!Agree (0) Alert moderator
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braddles:
05 Sep 2008 9:42:15am
I am sorry to see her go and I wish her well in all her future efforts. She did very well!
However, I must say that all our 'top' tennis players are plagued by physical problems and all seem to retire due to ongoing problems that can't be overcome. I am worried that this is due to the Aussie public and media placing way too much pressure on their shoulders to perform above their capabilities. Are they pushing themselves too hard to satisfy whom? Themselves or the public? Mental burn out is of course problem if the person is not in the game for the right reasons. Just food for thought.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Gavin:
05 Sep 2008 10:56:34am
There are few rewards for those outside the top 10 in mens tennis and less in womens.
Passion is what makes these young people drive themselves so hard, but who wouldn't give 110% for their loved sport.
No-one can ever complain that these guys and girls don't give enough when there are so many people striving to be the best at tennis.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Ian:
05 Sep 2008 9:57:15am
Sorry to see Alicia leave tennis, she gave 100% all the time and but for the inner-ear problem, would have kept pushing for the top ranking. No doubt with her engaging, easy-going personality and intelligent comments, she will put her energies to something exciting- looking forward to hearing more from her.
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shergy:
05 Sep 2008 10:10:47am
I've heard ping-pong pays well...
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Kim :
05 Sep 2008 10:10:55am
Don't retire Alicia!!! Just have a breath and you will find your mojo again. I am not a tennis player but in my lifetime I gave up something that I was really good at and lived to regret it. Be easy on yourself and things will come together. Further, get some inspiration from other athletes who have gone through tough times and made remarkable comebacks. You are too young to retire - go talk to Navratilova, she'll talk you around!!
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Gavin:
05 Sep 2008 10:48:49am
Good luck with your future endeavours.
It is a shame to see one of our nice international tennis stars leaving.
After having to deal with the Hewitts personally from time to time it was nice having yourself and others helping to keep Australians image as nice people alive.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Kathy:
05 Sep 2008 11:15:29am
Good luck Alicia...
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JHSUA:
05 Sep 2008 11:25:38am
well played
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Sadha:
05 Sep 2008 11:26:21am
Many thanks for the memories Alicia.
You were always a personification of every thing nice and gentle about sport. You showed us that winning at any cost is not everything.
The very best to you in your "new' directionsAgree (0) Alert moderator
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dragon:
05 Sep 2008 12:51:57pm
There's a maxim in sport "Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser"
If she was honest she would just say that she isn't good enough to play with the big boys !
I wonder what the Williams sisters did when times were tough off court for them ? .... I wonder what Jennifer Capriati did ? .... and I wonder what Roger Federer is doing to overcome the jinx Nadal has on him ? ....... None of these great players quit, they got up off the canvas and practiced even harder !
Her interview doesn't sound like anything but frusration at her inability to win a match at the moment !
I have nothing against her personally, but just wonder if it is her talent that she is hiding from !Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Eli:
05 Sep 2008 1:39:45pm
Dragon
Obviously you have never suffered from an inner ear infectionit really affects your balance and sometimes never really leaves you.
Well done Alicia and I'll miss youit is important to put your health as a priority. There are other things you can do.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Mark:
05 Sep 2008 11:55:12am
A sad day for Aussie sport. Good luck with life beyond tennis.
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dragon:
05 Sep 2008 12:29:30pm
This is a perfect example of the differences between a good player and a great player ! Great players don't quit when times get tough !
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onemansportsnetwork:
05 Sep 2008 12:36:05pm
Sorry to see Alicia retire. Has been on of my favourite aussie players since I first saw her talking to fans at the Australian Open in 1999.
Always enjoyed watching her, especially in the Aussie Open in 2005. Could easily have made the semis that year.
RobAgree (0) Alert moderator
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Me:
05 Sep 2008 12:38:33pm
It is about time that these elite competitors, started to take their own personal health seriously.
It is good to see someone sufficiently sensible to end the self-abuse that prevails amongst the elite competitors.
"She shows wisdom beyond her years".Agree (0) Alert moderator
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neil:
05 Sep 2008 12:52:27pm
Game, Set & Match Miss Molik,
Thank you for the way you have represented yourself & our country.Agree (0) Alert moderator
