Former Roland Garros runner-up Lucie Safarova brought the curtain down on her career on Wednesday with defeat in the French Open doubles, saying she will “miss the competition”.
The 32-year-old Czech reached the 2015 final where she was beaten in three sets by Serena Williams, and also won five Grand Slam doubles titles with Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
The American was missing this week with a knee injury, so Safarova played her final match alongside Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova, losing 6-4, 6-0 to Sofia Kenin and Andrea Petkovic.
“Even after so many years, I still enjoy (it) when I’m on the court,” said Safarova.
“I’m sure I will miss the competition a little bit. But honestly, I’ve been through great results on great courts, played in front of great crowds, and it’s been great.
“It’s been enough, and I’m really looking forward to starting a new chapter.”
Safarova also won Olympic doubles bronze in 2016 with Barbora Strycova, with the pair stunning two-time defending champions Serena and Venus Williams in the first round.
But she said her final defeat by 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena remained the highlight of her career.
“There were many great matches. There were matches that hurt a lot, of course. You tend to remember those a little more for some reason.
“But I will definitely remember the finals here in Paris against Serena, (and) winning each of the Grand Slams next to Bethanie.”
Safarova, who struggled with injuries and illness in the final two years of her career, reached a highest singles ranking of fifth and was the world number one in doubles.
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