NEW YORK - Sam Querrey will always remember his big victories over Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. He has not had time to process what he’ll miss most about being a professional tennis player.
Heading into retirement has become a theme at the U.S. Open and Querrey, a 34-year-old Californian, played the last match of his career, losing to Ilya Ivashka 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8), 6-3 at Court 7 in the first round.
Querrey reached a high of No. 11 in the ATP rankings. He made the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2017, beating No. 1 Murray, and the quarterfinals in 2016, beating No. 1 Djokovic. His resume also includes quarterfinal runs at Wimbledon in 2019 and at the U.S. Open in 2017.
Querrey, a father of two sons, said he had been thinking about ending his career for about six months and decided six weeks ago to walk away at Flushing Meadows.
“I came to terms with it. And it felt great,” Querrey said. “The last six weeks has been very enjoyable, just kind of mentally.”
He said he had about 15 relatives and friends in attendance Tuesday.
As for what will come next? He wouldn’t say. Not yet.
“There’s something I’m working on,” Querrey said, promising news in the near future.
