Molik hungs up her racquet

It's always a sad story when true champions have to depart not on their own terms.
Alicia Molik is unfortunately one of those examples. After years of struggling with the concequences of an inner-ear infection the 5'11 Aussie decided to call it a career.
And what a career it has been...


Molik has reached top ten as well in singles as in doubles.
She has won 5 singles and 7 doubles titles (two of which has been won at the Grand Slam level).
Her biggest win in terms of tournament level came at the Tier 1 event in Zurich, where she beat Maria Sharapova in the final. After having sort of a breakthrough year in 2004, winning 3 titles and winning the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Athens (eliminating Elena Dementieva and Anastasia Myskina), Molik followed it up with winning Sydney and straight afterwards with her best run at a Grand Slam event reaching the quarterfinals stage at the Australian Open 2005 beating Venus Williams along the way. She lost 7/9 to the eventual Runner-Up Lindsay Davenport on that occasion.

Just as things were starting to look fantastic for the powerfull Aussie, came the inner-ear infection that through her whole career off-balance. After her comeback she only managed to win one of the eleven matches she contested in. Since that infection Molik never looked the same player she was earlier, which eventually made her throw the towel and quit with tennis.

"It's tiring and it's very draining but I guess it's a number of things culminating," Molik said. "I've spent a lot of time thinking. I did have a huge setback three years ago, with my middle ear problem. It took a while to get back, and since then I've just struggled with a few more things that I never imagined would come along the way. But that isn't the only thing. I think I'm still young enough to focus my energies on something that I feel is again challenging."

The former Aussie number one will surely be missed by all her fans and although she didn't have the chance to end her career on her terms, she will be remembered for having a devastating serve, strong forehand and especially for her genuine smile...

~jachal