WIMBLEDON: Finalising his preparations for his 14th main draw appearance at Wimbledon, Marcos Baghdatis admits that there is a strong chance that tears will be flowing over the coming days.
It will be at The All England Club where his career will come to a close after almost 15 years on the ATP Tour. Setting milestones that had previously never been achieved by anybody in his home country. He is the only Cypriot to have ever contested either the semi-final or final of a grand slam. Doing so at the 2006 Australian Open, where he finished runner-up. A former world No.1 junior, he would go on to rise to a best of eighth on the professional tour and win a quartet of ATP titles.
Now aged 34 and ranked 138th in the world, the time has come for Baghdatis to end his time as a player. He was given the ability to do so at Wimbledon after being handed a wildcard into the main draw.
“It wasn’t a sudden decision. I would have never taken such a sudden decision to leave a sport I love.” Baghdatis explained on Sunday.
“It’s been coming for a while with my team and my wife and everything came this year. The news of us (my family) expecting a third child and me not being happy about where I have been (on the tour) over the past 18 months.”
The selection of Wimbledon as the venue of his farewell tournament wasn’t random. His first ever memory of watching tennis on the TV was Andre Agassi winning the title back in 1992. His first ever at grand slam level.
“The first ever match I saw on the TV was Andre Agassi against Goran Ivanisevic in the final back in 1992. I was seven-years-old.” Baghdatis recounts.
“I’ve had some great runs here, even though I never reached the final as I did at the Australian Open. My results here are much more consistent.’
“It’s the most historical place to play tennis and I can not be more grateful to be able to retire here.”
Baghdatis’ best result at Wimbledon occurred 13 years ago when he defeated Lleyton Hewitt on route to the semi-finals. 12 months later he also reached the quarter-finals. Heading into this year, he has won 21 matches at the tournament. Making it his second most successful grand slam after the Australian Open.
Whilst relishing in a career that many others would have loved to achieve, Baghdatis’ achievements took place in the shadows of the Big Four. A quartet of players who have dominated men’s tennis for almost two decades. Winning every Wimbledon title between them for the past 16 years.
“I do feel privileged to play with them not once or twice, but many times. To compete and win against them,” he said.
Impressively, the only member of the Big Four to not suffer a loss to Baghdatis is world No.1 Novak Djokovic. Who dominates their head-to-head 8-0.
“I was very close (to winning) a lot of times. We had some great battles.” The world no.138 reflects.
“He kind of has the same game as me, but a bit better. Maybe that is the reason (why I have never beaten him). I couldn’t find a way to disrupt his game.”
Baghdatis vs Big Four
Djokovic 0-8
Federer 1-7
Nadal 1-9
Murray 3-5
Whilst he may not have reached the level of success as the likes of Federer and Co, the 34-year-old has few regrets about his career. On the ATP Tour he has scored 348 wins, 22 of those were against top 10 opposition.
“If I did things differently, my life might have been different. I don’t think I would have changed anything. I am very happy with my life in general.” He explained.
“I could have done better for sure, but anybody could say that.”
Baghdatis’ final tournament will get underway on Tuesday at Wimbledon. His first round opponent will be Canada’s Brayden Schnur, who came through qualifying. Regardless of the outcome, the infectious smile on Baghdatis’ face will remain. Something he is known for and will be missed by both fans and rivals in the sport.
“I’m looking forward to the future. For me, there is life after tennis. I enjoyed this long journey so much and I think there are more exciting times after tennis.”
