By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday June 1, 2021
Though it did not end in victory, the brilliant Roland-Garros career of Carla Suarez Navarro has come to an end in the most triumphant manner.
The Spaniard, diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last September, resolutely set a path to a clean bill of health and a subsequent return to the sport’s biggest stage for a farewell fitting of a former star and widely respected tour veteran.
She got what she aimed for, and inspired many in the process.
On Tuesday in Paris the former World No.6 ran out of steam against Sloane Stephens and fell, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, but the mere fact that she was able to return to the red clay and compete so vigorously is an inspiration and a victory in and of itself.
“It was a long time, really tough moments,” Suarez Navarro said of her battle with her illness, which featured two month of chemotherapy treatment last year. “Tough months. But, well, every time I had on my mind that I want to be here, I want to come back. Roland Garros is one of my favorite tournaments, so I have really clear that my first tournament will be this one.”
Suarez Navarro, a former doubles partner of Garbiñe Muguruza, both on tour and at the Olympic games, needed a bit of prodding from the Spaniard to make her return to Paris for Roland-Garros official.
“I was very happy to see her because she didn't know until the last moment, if she was going to come, and I was like pushing her. 'Carla, let's go, just go there, you don't have any expectations, it's already incredible that you're here!'”
Muguruza, who fell in first-round action to Marta Kostyuk, says that she will always cherish her memories with her friend and compatriot.
“For me it was fun to see her and sad that it's the last time that she is going to be here. But we have great memories here, we played doubles, and we have a very nice relationship for many years, and I'm just happy that she's here and she's going to play - I'm very inspired."
Suarez Navarro had originally planned to retire in 2020, but the coronavirus delayed her progress, and then when her Hodgkin’s diagnosis came last September, she had no choice but to start fighting for new goals.
“I wanted to retire last year, but first the pandemic and then my cancer, you know, I couldn’t,” she said. “I have all the time in my mind that I want to come back. I was dreaming every day."
Suarez Navarro, a seven-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist that twice reached the last eight at Roland-Garros, including on her main draw debut in 2008, said she was both proud and disappointed with her performance.
“I was ready to play, to practice, to be here again in my best level,” she said. “I think I feel proud of what I did, but I'm really sad because I lost. I mean, every time I go on court, I want to win. But then nothing else to say, guys.”
She took an early lead on Stephens on Court Simonne-Mathieu, but lost her grip on the match after spectators were forced to file out of the stadium due to Paris' 9 P.M. curfew. The Spaniard actually served for the set and had another chance to close the match in a second-set tiebreaker.
When it didn't happen she had a feeling she may not come through.
"I was so sad when they have to leave," she said. "After the match, I'm not happy with the result, you know. I had 5-4, my serve, and then tiebreak to close the match. Maybe with time I will see this different but now I'm not too happy. I was here to win that match."
The Spaniard plans to play Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open before retiring from the sport for good.