It was at the Wimbledon venue, wearing a nice polka-dot dress, that Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia decided to officially announce her retirement from tennis. The 34-year-old emphasized that she’s leaving just the competition, but tennis will forever remain part of her life in one way or the other.
Being part of the WTA, ITF, the Slovak Fed Cup and Olympic team has been the biggest blessing and privilege and words are not
enough to explain all the thankfulness towards everybody that takes care of us in the tournaments, fellow players, our stuff and teams around the players, and most importantly you guys…Being able to share this journey with all of you means the world to me and we are not finished here…
When we close one chapter of our life, the next one opens up and I’m so excited about being able to share it all together with you!
Hantuchova turned pro in 1999 and only three years later she beat Martina Hingis in the final of Indian Wells, becoming the lowest-ranked player to win that event. In her fruitful career, Hantuchova won a total of seven WTA singles titles, including two at Indian Wells and three at Pattaya City, nine doubles titles, and four mixed doubles titles spreading over all four Grand Slams! The successes materialized in her highest ranking of No.5 in both singles and doubles.
Hantuchova sticks in our memory as Adidas‘ player, but en route to her best Grand Slam result in singles, the 2008 Australian Open semifinals, the Slovak was endorsing Nike and I actually have an overview of all her dresses from that year, as part of my famous Fashion Retrospections. Later into the 2009 season, Hantuchova started wearing Adidas and I also have a nice collage of photos of her and Ana Ivanovic sporting the Adizero and Adilibria lines throughout 2011.
The retirement news has gone by largely unnoticed in the WTA world, with only Jarmila Wolfe and Marion Bartoli wishing their colleague all the best in her new life on Twitter (if I missed someone, please correct me!).
Will miss you !!!!!! You are and always will be amazing player and even more amazing person I am very lucky to call you my friend !!
— Jarmila Wolfe (@tennis_jarkag) July 6, 2017
An amazing human being, tennis player, on court fashion perfectionist, friend ? & that smile ? enjoy your retirement darling from @WTA ? pic.twitter.com/2i7cqIieVs
— Marion bartoli (@bartoli_marion) July 6, 2017
I’m wishing you success and joy in your new chapter, Dani!
So sad to see her retire, I did enjoy watching her play. I think of the reason her retirement has gone relatively unnoticed is that Mattek-Sands has been gotten a bad knee injury while playing in the second round at Wimbledon and that she hasn’t been any where near competitive the last few years.
Pinky, that’s right. About 50 players tweeted about Bethanie’s terrific injury, so just two noticed Daniela’s retirement. It’s true that Daniela hasn’t been in the spotlight in the last few years, but she unarguable deserves more recognition from her colleagues. We can forgive them, as they are all busy playing Wimbledon.
Daniela was a good player and a delightful woman, happy retirement. Should have made the AO Final in 2009 (I think it was) when she lost to Ivanovic in the semi-finals.
She is also a rather good analyist in the BBC tennis commentary box.
I think it was wrong timing to announce her retirement since it was also the day where Bethanie had her horrific injury. I believe she’s one of the talented and all around players in WTA. Another glam girl gone in WTA. 🙁
Miss Hantuchova is an amazing woman in all facets of life. Hope she considers an autobiography at some stage. Her elegance on the courts will be missed but who knows, it’s never too late for a career in music, piano concerts it is.
Enjoy life’s journey and take care Daniela.
The first time I attended Indian Wells I had the opportunity to see her play and I also got her autograph. She was very sweet and patient with the fans. She has a naturally endearing quality about her. I hope she gets assignments as a reporter with Tennis Channel or some media outlet that caters to the WTA.