Posting a photo from her early days on the tennis court, 34-year-old Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany is officially announcing the end of her professional career.
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Sixteen and a half years after turning pro, this doubles specialist is ready to start a new chapter in her life, which is to start a family. Here’s her explanation on the social media:
This little girl had dreams! For the last 18 years, she was able to live one of them! But now it’s time to hopefully FULFILL another dream of having a family!
I want to say thank you to everyone who was by my side through all those years in the ups and downs! My family, friends and all of you who followed and supported me all these years! Thank you!
In singles competition, Groenefeld’s career-high ranking was No.14, she won one WTA title (Acapulco in 2006) and reached three WTA finals, all in 2005. Groenefeld’s doubles success is much more prominent — she climbed to the No.7 ranking spot, played seven Grand Slam semifinals across the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, and won two mixed doubles major titles (Roland Garros 2014 and Wimbledon 2009).
At the moment of her retirement, Groenefeld is positioned at No.11 in the WTA doubles rankings. Her last tournament was the 2019 Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen, where she reached the semis partnered with Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands.
I love her, she has one of the best serve in WTA, I think she can served up to 130 mph in a match!