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2017 saw the biggest names from various sporting fields draw curtains on their career. The most significant being that of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. The 31-year-old decided to bid adieu to the track and field arena post the 2017 World Championships. It was an emotional moment not only for the legendary Olympic athlete but also for his fans worldwide. Apart from Usain Bolt in athletics, women’s tennis great, Martina Hingis also hung up her racquet professionally. This was the third time in her career, when Hingis has announced her retirement, with many seeing this one as her permanent decision. Here’s a look at legendary sporting action heroes who retired in 2017.
1. Usain Bolt (Jamaican Olympic athlete)
Nicknamed Lightening Bolt, Jamaican sprinter took retirement from the after breaking almost every track and field record that ever existed. Legendary Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt hung up his boots post his participation in 2017 World Championships. An emotional Bolt said, "It's really sad that I have to walk away now," post-retirement. He remains the only athlete to win "triple double", a title given to his feat of winning an Olympic Gold in 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016). His enormous success and dominance which made his opponents look puny earned Usain Bolt the title of the greatest all-time sprinter.
2. Felipe Massa (Brazilian racing driver)
Brazilian Formula One racing driver, Felipe Massa announced about retiring at the end of 2017 season on November 4. The decision to retire comes the second time in a year’s time from the 36-year-old. However, it looks like a final call from Massa who is currently part of Williams-Mercedes team. Former Ferrari driver, Massa has won 11 Grand Prix in his 15-year long career. From his first 2006 Turkish Grand Prix win to being crowned F1 champion in 2008, even for about 15 seconds, Massa positioned himself as one of the memorable F1 racers.
3. Alberto Contador (Spanish cyclist)
Spanish professional cyclist Alberto Contador announced his retirement post Vuelta a Espana 2017. The 35-year-old remains one of the only six riders to have won all three grand tours - Tour de France (2007 and 2009), Vuelta a Espana (2008, 2015) and Giro d'Italia (2008, 2012, 2014) in their careers. He has also won Vélo d'Or (Golden Bicycle), a cycle racing award on four occasions. Contador is regarded as one of most successful cyclists of the era despite being dragged doping controversies.
4. Martina Hingis (Swiss Tennis Player)
Swiss tennis legend, Martina Hingis announced her retirement from the sports she loves dearly for the third time. The 37-year-old player who remains the youngest to win Wimbledon singles title confirmed the retirement news at the WTA Finals in Singapore. She was quoted saying, "It's the right time for me. It's better to stop at the peak and I can say I had a very good time.” Martina has won five grand slam singles titles, 13 women’s doubles and seven mixed doubles major titles.
Not just Martina, tennis saw several other players bid goodbye to the game. Czech Republic’s Davis Cup winner Radek Stepanek retired at 38 after failing to recover from a back injury and rising fitness concerns. Several top-50 ATP ranked players, Benjamin Becker of Germany, Paul-Henri Mathieu of France and Juan Monaco of Argentina bowed out of the sports. Indian tennis player, Somdev Devvarman also retired after inconsistent performances.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2017 10:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
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