Vania King eventually didn’t allow the COVID-19 pandemic to ruin her retirement plans. Instead of saying goodbye without a proper farewell, the American returned to the courts and ended her tennis career at the 2021 Volvo Car Open.
The 32-year-old King was supposed to retire at last year’s Volvo Car Open, but since the tournament was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, it looked like the former doubles world No.3 would quit tennis without a chance to say goodbye during competition. Fortunately, the two-time Grand Slam doubles champion ended the WTA phase of her life on her own terms, following a first-round doubles loss in Charleston.
“I’ve been ready for a year, I’ve been emotionally ready for about a year and a half, so I’m really excited for the next chapter.”
Grand Slam doubles champion @queen_v21 joins @Steve_Weissman to talk retirement, @serving_up_hope, and more.
All the best, Vania!#VolvoCarOpen pic.twitter.com/5msG9anEUi— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) April 6, 2021
King’s doubles partner in her last career match was Yaroslava Shvedova, the player with whom she won Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010. Because of today’s loss, King said that the retirement was bittersweet, but she was ready to move on:
I’ve been ready for a year, I’ve been emotionally ready for about a year and a half, so I’m really excited for the next chapter.
In the 2021 season, King competed in doubles at four tournaments — she won the ITF event in Newport Beach alongside Maegan Manasse in March and afterwards entered the Abierto Zapopan in Mexico, the Miami Open and the Volvo Car Open in Charleston.
Good luck in the next phase of your life, Vania. All the best in your future endeavors. (photo: Jimmie48)
