Former top 30 player Santiago Giraldo has decided to bring his career to a pause due to ‘several reasons’ in a statement he published on Thursday.
The Colombian world No.130 has endured a lacklustre season by winning only ten out of 27 main draw matches played. He has failed to reach the quarter-final stage at every tournament this year. A stark contrast to 2014, when he achieved his ranking best of 28th in the world.
“Today, after more than 17 years engaging each of my days entirely to tennis, working day by day, travelling, living away from home more than 36 of the 52 weeks of the year, leaving little room for my family and personal life to prioritize it in this sport that I love, I have made the decision to make a stop in my tennis career.” Giraldo wrote on his personal website.
The announcement occurred less than a week after Giraldo participated in Colombia’s Davis Cup tie against Croatia. On the final day of the tie, he lost in straight sets to Marin Cilic. Handing Croatia an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Insisting that he has not retired from the sport, the 29-year-old revealed that he has been experiencing ‘physical discomfort’ over the past year without elaborating further. Giraldo is currently the only Colombian ranked in the world’s top 200 on the ATP Tour.
There has been no time frame given as to how long he will be away from the sport. Although, he has stated that he has no regrets about his decision to take a break.
“This decision, analyzed calmly and rested, and of which I feel proud, I have taken it in full calm and harmony not only with myself, but with the support of those around me.” He explained.
“To each of them I express my gratitude and loyalty, not only for their confidence in me but for the unconditional support they have given me, and for supporting this pause and my soon return.”
So far in his career, Giraldo has won ten Challenger titles with his last triumph occurring at the 2016 Fairfield Challenger in America. On the ATP Tour he has reached the final of two tournaments. The most recent was at the 2014 Barcelona Open where he lost in the final to Kei Nishikori.
