Kiki Bertens plays final singles career match at Tokyo Olympics

The Dutch player struggled with a lot of injuries in the final few yours which prompted Bertens to announce that 2021 will be her final year. Earlier in the year, she did not specify which event might be her last but a day ago she confirmed it would be the Olympics.

Talking to ITF she said:

“It’s enough. It’s too hard to keep going, for my body and my mind. I had hoped after my decision to play to the end of the year that my body would be feeling a bit better after the grass, but the grass-court season was pretty tough again."

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Bertens will still pay at least one more time pairing with Demi Schuurs in the doubles to which she said:

“After Paris, I was like, ‘Okay, this is the time. This is my last year.’ But then, it became my last two months. It’s enough for me, and I think this is a great way to finish, with a great team, and together with Demi Schuurs. Hopefully, we will end it in a nice way and then I can say goodbye.”

Today Bertens put up a great fight against Vondrousova who was heavily favoured. The Czech player won the first set with 6-4 after which Bertens came back to win the next 6-3. Vondrousova then ended it with 6-4 in the final one.

A storied singles career has come to an end. It's only regrettable that no fans were there to see it.

José Morgado

@josemorgado

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Sad to see Bertens play her last ever singles match for no crowd. Out in #Tokyo2020 R1 against Vondrousova.

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