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Former World No. 99 Pedro Sousa put a bow on his skilled profession Thursday on the Del Monte Lisboa Belém Open in Portugal.
The host website of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 occasion, the Membership Internacional de Foot-Ball is Sousa’s residence membership, making the 35-year-old’s last match a memorable goodbye.
“The toughest half is lengthy gone, it was once I needed to make the choice. It appeared like at the present time would by no means come, however all of a sudden it was right here,” Sousa mentioned in Portuguese at a press convention in Lisbon. “Earlier than the match I used to be okay, however then that strain got here. Enjoying right here is at all times particular. I had associates, household and membership members that I see day by day, which gave me additional power to carry out properly.”
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Sousa, who turned professional in 2007, collected eight ATP Challenger Tour titles and is one in all 4 Portuguese males to crack the High 100 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings previously decade.
After incomes his 201st profession Challenger-match victory this week in Lisbon, the place his father ‘Manecas’ works because the match director, Sousa clashed towards countryman and former World No. 28 Joao Sousa, who reached the best rating in Portuguese tennis historical past in 2016.
In entrance of a full crowd, Pedro soaked within the last moments of his profession.
“I really feel aid, lastly,” Sousa mentioned, whereas cracking fun. “It’s what it’s. I used to be kind of ready. I additionally had a while to organize. It was particular as a result of it occurred in my membership like I wished, throughout a nationwide vacation in entrance of a full stadium towards the perfect Portuguese participant ever.”
Joao Sousa (left) embraces Pedro Sousa, who was taking part in his last match Thursday in Lisbon. Credit score: FPT/Sara Falcao
Sousa’s most memorable second from his profession was representing his residence nation within the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Video games. The yr prior, the Lisbon native loved a shock runner-up end as a fortunate loser on the ATP 250 occasion in Buenos Aires. All eight of his Challenger titles got here on clay courts, with two triumphs on residence soil. When Sousa mirrored on his profession, one match caught out.
“The perfect match ever must be the ultimate towards [Jan-Lennard] Struff within the [2018] Pullach [Germany] Challenger,” Sousa mentioned. “Successful 6-3, 6-1 within the last of a Challenger 125 was even higher than once I beat him the yr earlier than [in Davis Cup], as a result of in that one I needed to undergo a bit in the long run.
“I am joyful and happy with my profession and haven’t any regrets. Most individuals do not know the struggles we undergo, it is a very robust profession. I’ve made some errors after all, however I am pleased with my achievements.”
from Tennis – ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/kQh9DvE
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