WASHINGTON, April 8, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
American doubles specialist Vania King was supposed to retire this week at the WTA Premier Volvo Car Open in Charleston, South Carolina, playing alongside her longtime Russian-born doubles partner Yaroslava Shvedova from Kazakhstan. The outdoor green clay tournament is the largest women’s only tennis tournament in North America and should’ve been the culmination of a three-tournament mini farewell stretch for King, a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion (Wimbledon and US Open, both 2010) who won a total of 15 doubles titles in her 14-year pro career.
Before coronavirus stopped the pro tennis season dead in its tracks, King, 31, had planned to conclude her career by playing the Sunshine Double of Indian Wells and Miami before Charleston. Unfortunately for the California native, who is recently recovered from a lingering ankle injury, the coronavirus crisis scrubbed those plans. So, technically, King’s retired, right?
During a recent interview with the WTA website, King laughingly said, “Yeah so, I think I’m retired now? I’m not sure? I don’t know, but like technically I’m retired?”
On a positive note, King has begun organizing a coronavirus relief initiative through her Serving Up Hope foundation with the support of many, including WTA Charities and tennis TV presenter Andrew Krasny.
UPDATE @WTA Charities is matching my donation+ a selfless donor will help 3 more! We’re now giving away $500 to help 13 people. If you/someone you know is affected by coronavirus, pls email servinguphope@yahoo.com & explain how the money will help.#payitforward #wtacharities pic.twitter.com/b4XbGRZ7QS
— Vania King (@queen_v21) March 24, 2020
