STARNBERG, November 14, 2017
Radek Stepanek announced his retirement from professional tennis during a press conference on Tuesday. The 38-year-old from the Czech Republic only played two tournaments in 2017 at the beginning of the season in Doha and at the Australian Open. Later in the year, a back injury forced Stepanek to undergo surgery.
“It’s over. I don’t want to risk my health,” the World No. 348 said. ‘”I loved my life as tennis player from beginning to end.”
Radek Štěpánek oznámil na dnešní tiskové konferenci v Praze konec své bohaté kariéry 😞 pic.twitter.com/k2ZfzLKN8o
— Tenisový svět (@tenisovysvetcz) 14. November 2017
5 ATP World Tour Titles
Stepanek won five ATP World Tour titles during his career and earned a total prize money of $11,343,464. He reached a career high World No. 8 in July 2006. The same year, the Karvina native advanced to quarterfinals at Wimbledon, his best Grand Slam result in singles.
Stepanek lifted the 2012 Australian Open trophy in doubles alongside Leander Paes. He also won two Davis Cup titles with the Czech Republic in 2012 and 2013. Partnering Lucie Hradecka, Stepanek clinched the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
