ITF

ITF World Winter 2020 41 She once contested a Roland Garros quarter- final and Marie Pinterova is renowned for displaying the same intensity well into her seventies as she did on that memorable day in Paris almost half a century ago. No doubt she will continue to do so, just not competitively. Due to ongoing health concerns heightened by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 75-year-old confirmed earlier this year that she is stepping aside from tournament tennis. It was a decision she did not want to make, but one she felt she had to, although that fails to lessen the disappointment of having to consign something which partly defines her to the pages of history. In short, tennis has provided the backdrop to Pinterova's life, spanning the time she was a young pretender defeating the world's best – the very best, in fact – through to being the experienced hand topping the podium at her latest Seniors event. "Tennis is like a drug," Pinterova told ITFWorld. "I have played for 62 years and it's not easy to stop but, from the other side, it is difficult to continue. It was a hard decision to discontinue tournament tennis, but I need an extremely strict regime in these terrible Covid-19 times. "Tennis is a gift of life. When I play, even only for fun, I forget my problems and my age and simply enjoy the game. I know my shots have changed and I move slower, but every minute of play takes me back to my younger years and makes me relaxed." Born in former Czechoslovakia as Marie Neumanova, Pinterova's journey started at the comparatively late age of 13. From there, a captivating story evolved with victories over legends such as Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova preserved in history. Main Pinterova has enjoyed a wonderful career spanning more than 60 years Inset In 1972, she defeated Billie Jean King It has been quite the journey for Marie Pinterova, who recently brought down the curtain on her competitive career after 62 years on court. By Ross McLean

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