Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder is calling it quits after a 17-year career which started in 2003 and brought her 11 titles and 59 Grand Slam appearances.
The 32-year-old, currently ranked No. 55, made her first majors appearance at Roland Garros in 1996, and appropriately chose her 16th successive French Open to announce her retirement decision.
“It’s time to close this chapter of my tennis career. It’s very emotional,” said a tearful Schnyder at a news conference. “I had always wanted to win a Grand Slam title, but that will have to remain a dream.”
Schnyder’s best performance was making the semifinals at the 2004 Australian Open.
Schynder failed to win a match on clay all year before losing in straight sets against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the French Open first round. On Saturday, she admitted that time was catching up with her and the time was right to bow out. Her retirement is to take effect immediately in order to pursue other interests.
