ATP: Federer-Schreck Alejandro Falla says goodbye

After 18 years as a professional tennis player Alejandro Falla hangs the racket to the nail. At the Wimbledon 2010 tournament, Roger Federer, a Colombian, had once brought him to the brink of defeat.

It was probably the match of his life: Alejandro Falla had already led 7:5,6:4 and 5:4 against defending champion Roger Federer before the “Maestro” was able to turn the first round duel on London’s Church Road to his advantage. In 2014 Falla had another chance to take revenge. In the final of Halle, however, it was once again the Swiss who won the final.

At a press conference in Bogota, the former number 48 of the world now said goodbye to the big tennis arena:”I have just so many emotions in me,”said the 34-year-old,”from the memories of the many sacrifices I made as a child to the indescribable feelings of happiness because a dream that seemed impossible has come true. I am proud of this path. But now the time has come to begin the next stage of life.”

Falla, who began his professional career in 2000, reached the finals in Bogota, Colombia’s capital, in addition to the final in Halle, which he lost to Ivo Karlovic in 2013. The left-hander achieved his best result at a Grand Slam tournament in 2011 with Roland Garros entering the last sixteen. Falla won eleven titles on the Challenger Tour and celebrated eight of his tournament victories in his home country.