Latest news with #Pospisil
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Tennis: Vernon's Vasek Pospisil retires with 'no regrets', but stays in fight to protect players
'Injuries played a huge factor the last three years. It gets very discouraging and you have to be realistic. I did everything I could. I left no stone unturned.' — Vasek Pospisil Vasek Pospisil of Canada took on Tennys Sandgren of the United States in second round 2019 U.S. Open match at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports Vasek Pospisil was always up for a good fight on the court, or off it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Whether competing against Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) elite, fighting for players' rights to combat suppressed earnings and off-court opportunities, or growing the game in his home province, the Vernon native met challenges with vigour. The 35-year-old Pospisil is retiring after accomplishments that include a 2014 Wimbledon doubles title, helping Canada capture the 2022 Davis Cup crown, and a string of strong singles and doubles finishes on the Grand Slam circuit. He received a main draw wild-card entry for the National Bank Open in Toronto next weekend for his final farewell. Pospisil, who turned pro in 2007, rose to a No. 4 raking in doubles (2015) and No. 25 (2014) in singles and finished with US$7.2 million in career earnings. He also endured a lot of pain. A trio of elbow tears, herniated disk surgery in 2019, and then another back setback last summer, in the long grind to keep mind and body in sync. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There can always be a little bit of bittersweet, no question about it,' Vasek told Postmedia on Sunday. 'Tennis has been my whole life and all I ever wanted to do, and there's going to be a little difficulty saying goodbye, but I'll keep it in perspective. I'm ready to move on to the next thing. There's so much I want to do. 'The last three or four years have been very tiring and it's quite safe to say I'm burned out to a point where I'm not getting as much enjoyment out of training or being on the court. It's incredibly exhausting, and all year long, you're always on and always travelling. Vasek Pospisil (right) and Jack Sock celebrate 2014 Wimbledon doubles title at The All England Tennis Club. 'A lot of times, it's a very lonely sport with enormous stress. Eventually, that weighs on you and burns you out. I definitely feel like a shell of the player I was. The injuries played a huge factor especially the last three years. It gets very discouraging and you have to be realistic.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. However, it's also rewarding, if you put in the time to get to a rare level, and have the will to press on as the career clock ticks. Pospisil advanced to the Wimbledon singles quarterfinal (2015), fourth round of the U.S. Open (2020), and third round of the Australian Open (2014, 2015). In doubles, he also made the quarterfinals in the French Open (2015), Australian Open (2016) and third round of the U.S. Open (2013, 2014). It spoke to longevity and longing to always get his game to the next level. Does Pospisil believe he left it all out on the court and did the best under different circumstances? 'I do,' he stressed. 'Until 2022, I did everything I could. I left no stone unturned and confident to say I have no regrets.' Pospisil was named the ATP's comeback player of the year in 2020 for advancing to his first singles final since 2014, collecting his seventh doubles title and getting to fourth round of singles at the U.S. Open. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Pospisil didn't have to look very far find his work ethic. Two years before he was born in 1990, his parents Milos and Mila, along with older brothers Petr and Tom, escaped Communist Czechoslovakia by driving unlawfully to Austria. They worked long hours at low wages to save money for an eventual move to Canada and arrived in Vernon in the summer of 1989. Milos worked two jobs and took to tennis because his older sons started playing. He would coach on outdoor courts and a three-year-old Vasek tagged along as ball boy at practices. He even dragged a mini tennis racquet around the house and seemed destined for the sport. A young Vasek Pospisil works on his swing in Vernon. He's retiring from ATP Tour. Photo: Pospisil family. At age six, Pospisil won an Under-12 tournament and by 2002, it became apparent that the family had to move to Vancouver to find the right coach for the prodigy, who was home-schooled. They found the mentor in Vadim Korkh, who worked with Andrei Chesnokov while also a professor at the Central Sport Academy in Moscow. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In November 2002, Vasek went to Florida and won the Prince Cup, beating several of the best under-12 players from Europe. In 2004, he won the Canadian Nationals at the U14 level, to become best player in the country in his age group. His father saw the obvious potential and returned to coaching his son. 'I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for my parents and family and what they sacrificed,' said Pospisil. 'It made me the man I am today and I'm forever grateful for the tennis career I had. I still look back to this day as it's a family project. This is just so much — my dad quitting his job so he could coach me. 'I'm so lucky. They mean everything to me and this is a very important week.' So, when will Pospisil pick up a racket again? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It might take a while,' he laughed. 'It will be for fun, but who knows? I will say, I do have a love-hate relationship with the sport right now, but it is a huge part of me. I know that. I still love the game so much and when I'm hitting balls with my friends, it's so much fun. 'It won't take me too long to pick up a racket again.' How about the Oldlum-Brown VanOpen that returns in 2026? Pospisil won the singles title in 2013. 'Maybe that will be it,' teased Pospisil. Fighting the good fight off courts Pospisil's connection with the game is now a higher calling to protect players' rights. He formed the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) with Novak Djokovic in 2019. In March, a dozen players sued the sport's four major tennis organizations — they oversee four Grand Slam events and men's and women's pro tours — to contest economic restraints placed among competing players. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The PTPA alleges the organizations suppress tournament earnings and withhold opportunities for players to have additional opportunities to supplement incomes away from the courts. Potential earnings with name, image and likeness (NIL), are also reportedly under fire because organizations have players sign over the NIL right without compensation. Vasek Pospisil celebrates upset win over Milos Raonic at 2020 U.S. Open on Sept. 3, 2020 in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran / USA TODAY Sports 'It's one of the contentions with my injuries and eventually burning out,' said Pospisil. 'It (lawsuit) is for the right cause and something I really believe in. When you look under the hood, it (tennis) is very broken. It was important to stand up for what I believe in. It's something I'll continue to work on. It's in hands of the lawyers right now.' In 2024, a Spotrac list of 100th-ranked players of salary and incomes in a variety of sports had the ATP and WTA (Women's Tennis Association) ranked seventh globally. The NFL was first at $17.3 million, followed by the NBA ($14M), Major League Baseball ($13M), European Professional Soccer (EPL, $8.1M), NHL ($7.7M), PGA, LPGA ($3.1M) and ATP, WTA ($1.2M). 'Those (tennis) players are also paying their own expenses,' added Pospisil. 'Team sports have everything paid for and there's something wrong with it. Tennis is definitely broken.' bkuzma@ Celebrity Other Sports Toronto & GTA World Toronto Blue Jays
Canada News.Net
3 days ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
2014 Wimbledon doubles winner Vasek Pospisil to retire
(Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images) Canadian Vasek Pospisil, who won the men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 2014, announced he will retire after this week's Canadian Open in Toronto. Pospisil, 35, received a main-draw wild card entry. The tournament begins Sunday. 'It's never easy making a decision like this,' Pospisil said in a post to X. 'Tennis has been a huge part of my life, but it has become clear, both mentally and physically, that it's the right time to step away. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the career I've had, especially coming from a small town where this dream once felt so far away.' Pospisil racked up career earnings of $7.2 million, per the ATP, and recorded ranking highs of No. 4 in doubles (2015) and No. 25 in singles (2014). Pospisil partnered with Jack Sock to claim the Wimbledon doubles title. He was also part of Canada's Davis Cup-winning team in 2022.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Vasek Pospisil to retire from tennis after Canada Open
Vasek Pospisil, a former Wimbledon men's doubles champion, will retire from tennis after playing in the Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto next week. 'Eighteen years of professional tennis. Looking forward to playing in front of you one last time in Toronto,' the 35-year-old Pospisil posted on social media on Monday. The Canadian paired with Jack Sock to lift the Wimbledon title in 2014, and was also part of Canada's national team that won the Davis Cup title in 2022. He reached career-high rankings of No. 4 in doubles and No. 25 in singles. 'It's never easy making a decision like this,' he said. 'Tennis has been a huge part of my life, but it has become clear, both mentally and physically, that it's the right time to step away.' The hard-court Masters event in Canada awarded Pospisil a wild-card entry.
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Vasek Pospisil retiring from tennis after a career that included a Wimbledon doubles title
Vasek Pospisil, who won a Wimbledon men's doubles title and helped Canada win the Davis Cup, will retire from tennis after playing in the Toronto tournament next week. 'Eighteen years of professional tennis. Looking forward to playing in front of you one last time in Toronto,' the 35-year-old Pospisil posted Monday on social media. Pospisil has been an advocate for players on the tours and joined with Novak Djokovic to form the Professional Tennis Players' Association, which filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court in New York against some of the groups running the sport. On the court, Pospisil paired with Jack Sock to earn a Wimbledon championship in 2014 and was part of the Canadian team that won the Davis Cup title in 2022. Pospisil reached career-high rankings of No. 4 in doubles and No. 25 in singles. The hard-court Masters event in Canada awarded Pospisil a wild-card entry. 'It's never easy making a decision like this,' he said. 'Tennis has been a huge part of my life, but it has become clear, both mentally and physically, that it's the right time to step away.'
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Canada's Vasek Pospisil to retire at National Bank Open in Toronto: 'The right time'
The 35-year-old received a main-draw wild card for the event for his final farewell Published Jul 21, 2025 • 1 minute read Vasek Pospisil of Canada celebrates a point during day 2 of the Davis Cup Qualifier match between Canada and Republic of Korea at IGA Stadium on February 3, 2024 in Montreal. Photo by Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images for ITF Vasek Pospisil is planning to retire after the upcoming National Bank Open. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The 35-year-old from Vernon, B.C., received a main-draw wild card on Monday for the event in Toronto for his final farewell. 'It's never easy making a decision like this,' Pospisil said in a release. 'Tennis has been a huge part of my life, but it has become clear, both mentally and physically, that it's the right time to step away. 'I feel incredibly grateful to have had the career I've had, especially coming from a small town where this dream once felt so far away. While I'm genuinely excited for what's next, there will always be a part of me that misses the sport and everything it's given me.' Pospisil won six doubles titles on the ATP Tour, including Wimbledon in 2014 and at Indian Wells in 2015. He achieved career-high rankings of No. 25 in singles (2014) and No. 4 in doubles (2015). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Pospisil represented Canada twice at the Olympic Games (London 2012 and Rio 2016). He also represented Canada numerous times at the Davis Cup since his debut in 2008. Pospisil played in 35 ties and earned 33 wins, helping Canada capture its first title in 2022. Pospisil co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) in 2019 with Novak Djokovic. The PTPA is a player-led organization that represents professional tennis players, particularly those who are independent contractors. The organization filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women's and men's tours in March, alleging the organizations that run the sport hold 'complete control over the players' pay and working conditions' and their setup constitutes anticompetitive practices that are 'textbook violations of state and federal law.' He is the second Canadian tennis veteran to announce a retirement at the NBO after 2014 Wimbledon finalist and former world No. 5 Eugenie Bouchard said she will wrap up her career at the women's tournament in Montreal. The NBO tournaments are set to run from Saturday to Aug. 7. Uncategorized Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons MMA Canada
