Marcos Baghdatis Retires From Professional Tennis at Wimbledon Championships 2019

The sole heir of Cyprus tennis, Marcos Baghdatis boarded to play the final match of his career against Matteo Berrettini in the lawns of SW19. The Cypriot received a wildcard for the Wimbledon Championships 2019 as he decided to call off his 15-year-long service to ATP Tour at the ‘Mecca of Tennis’.

Wimbledon is regarded as the second-best Slam for Baghdatis after the Australian Open where he made to the finals. After reaching the finals in Melbourne the same year, he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon 2006. World Number 138 has amassed a total of 22 matches at The All England Club. 

It was a random choice to call off his career at Wimbledon and he vividly remembers watching Andre Agassi against Goran Ivanisevic Wimbledon 1992 final.

The first ever match I saw on the TV was Andre Agassi against Goran Ivanisevic in the final back in 1992. I was seven-years-old.” Marcos Baghdatis reminisced. “I’ve had some great runs here, even though I never reached the final as I did at the Australian Open. My results here are much more consistent. It’s the most historical place to play tennis and I can not be more grateful to be able to retire here.”

During Wimbledon 2012, it was the third round match between Marcos Baghdatis and Andy Murray, the duo snapped down the 11 pm curfew at Wimbledon that year. Baghdatis lost 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 to Andy Murray, but collectively, the duo defeated, mayor of Merton as they defied the local borough’s 11 pm curfew and ended their match at 11.02 pm.

From his island country of Cyprus, the former World Number eight, Marcos Baghdatis is the only soul to hit a home run on the ATP courts. “I think for Cyprus, he did so much coming from such a small country and becoming a sporting superstar,” said Roger Federer. “I’m sure that was a big deal at home… He’s always been a joy to watch also for us players, so we’ll miss him.”