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 web site of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 occasion, the Membership Internacional de Foot-Ball is Sousa’s dwelling membership, making the 35-year-old’s ultimate event a memorable goodbye.
“The toughest half is lengthy gone, it was after I needed to make the choice. It appeared like at the present time would by no means come, however immediately it was right here,” Sousa stated in Portuguese at a press convention in Lisbon. “Earlier than the match I used to be okay, however then that stress got here. Enjoying right here is at all times particular. I had buddies, household and membership members that I see day by day, which gave me additional power to carry out nicely.”
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Sousa, who turned professional in 2007, collected eight ATP Challenger Tour titles and is one among 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 event director, Sousa clashed in opposition to countryman and former World No. 28 Joao Sousa, who reached the very best rating in Portuguese tennis historical past in 2016.
In entrance of a full crowd, Pedro soaked within the ultimate moments of his profession.
“I really feel reduction, lastly,” Sousa stated, whereas cracking amusing. “It’s what it’s. I used to be roughly 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 in opposition to the perfect Portuguese participant ever.”
Joao Sousa (left) embraces Pedro Sousa, who was taking part in his ultimate match Thursday in Lisbon. Credit score: FPT/Sara Falcao
Sousa’s most memorable second from his profession was representing his dwelling 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 dwelling soil. When Sousa mirrored on his profession, one match caught out.
“The very best match ever must be the ultimate in opposition to [Jan-Lennard] Struff within the [2018] Pullach [Germany] Challenger,” Sousa stated. “Profitable 6-3, 6-1 within the ultimate of a Challenger 125 was even higher than after I beat him the yr earlier than [in Davis Cup], as a result of in that one I needed to undergo a bit ultimately.
“I am pleased and pleased with my profession and don’t have any regrets. Most individuals do not know the struggles we undergo, it is a very robust profession. I’ve made some errors in fact, however I am proud of my achievements.”