38 Year Old Kimiko Date Krumm Plays On...
Thirty-eight year old Japanese tennis player, Kimiko Date Krumm, continued her comeback after thirteen years off the WTA Tour by competing at the 2009 Australian Open. Date Krumm, a former semifinalist at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, won three qualifying matches to reach the main draw in 2009. Date Krumm seemed fine physically after a grueling first round match which she lost 8-6 in the third in sweltering heat in Melbourne. With her inspiring comeback, Date Krumm reminds one
that top players can compete in their mid thirties even after many years off the Tour. Time will tell whether Kimiko can return to the top ten, but even at five foot four without a real power game she clearly can compete at a high level. There have been other players who have had success in their mid-thirties including Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi. In 2008, thirty-six year old Swede, Jonas Bjorkman retired while he was one of the top doubles players in the world and still competing in Grand Slam singles. Thirty-six year old, Frenchman, Fabrice Santoro, won in four sets and advanced to the second round of the 2009 Australian Open. As players focus more on off-court fitness, we will probably see even more players competing at the top of the game into their mid to late thirties, or even returning to the Tour after many years, as long as they can avoid injuries.
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Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting post. Waiting for trackback
Posted by: Fore | July 25, 2009 12:45 PM