Two-time Davis Cup winner and former World No.8 Radek Stepanek has announced his retirement from tennis at the age of 38. Stepanek underwent a lumbar vertebrae procedure to treat a chronic problem troubling his back, but does not wish to put his health at risk with another season on the tour.
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The Czech was a colorful, animated player that was as talented and bringing a crowd to life as he was at winning ATP matches. He amassed 384 career wins and five titles on the singles court, and reached the Wimbledon quarterfinal in 2006.
“I had to be realistic. I fought till the last breath but it is time to move on,” Stepanek was quotes as saying on www.idnes.cz website.
Stepanek was a fan favorite due to his showmanship and ability to deliver greatness, even if he didn’t always sustain it on the singles court.
He was more imperious on the doubles court, where he won two major titles, paired with Tomas Berdych to guide the Czech Republic to back-to-back titles and won and Olympic Bronze medal with Lucie Hradecka at the 2016 Games in Rio.