ITF

ITF World Winter 2021 19 Cup debut back in 2008 as Spain defeated Italy in Naples to embark upon a journey which would see them make the competition's final that year. Suarez Navarro was just 19 years old at the time, but it would prove the closest she would come to Billie Jean King Cup success as Spain crashed to Russia during a one-sided final in Madrid. Spain have been searching for a sixth tournament title – their last was in 1998 – ever since to no avail. Medina Garrigues also appreciates the huge physical undertaking it will have taken for Suarez Navarro to participate at the 2021 Finals, and how fitting it was for her final match to be a hard-fought and tie-clinching doubles win alongside Sara Sorribes Tormo as Spain edged past Slovakia. "We were telling her for more than a year, 'please don't retire', and it was really, really special to have Carla for one more week," Medina Garrigues told ITFWorld. "We loved having Carla on Tour and we CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO loved seeing her play. For us, it is a big miss that she is retiring. But we had one more opportunity to have her with us and it was extra special. "I also say that Carla is more than a tennis player. She always gave everything on court, but also off court. She was always very good with all the girls on the team. "She feels the love from all the players on Tour, which means she is more than a good tennis player, she is a good person. It is the most important thing that when you retire that people remember you as a nice girl. "Thank you, Carla for staying. It was so difficult for her physically to be at the Finals. It was tough, but she was ready to play. For us, it was a big, big deal for her to be there and we were grateful. We will miss her." They are not alone. Box office stars of the women's game were queuing up at the Finals to launch Suarez Navarro into retirement with their best wishes and honour her achievements. A fighter, an inspiration and a class act. Happy retirement, Carla! n R E A D M O R E spend time with family and friends. I will try to do some different activities but for the first months I want to disconnect because I really deserve it and need it after the last year. I want to enjoy life." Nobody can begrudge her that, although Suarez Navarro, who lives in Barcelona, has cited a desire to travel more and spearhead a humanitarian project as key priorities over the coming years. An involvement in tennis is not within her immediate plans, although never say never should the sport which, to her own admission, has given her so much, come calling once more. For the time being, however, a period of reflection beckons. One person who knows just how much it would have meant to her to sign-off with one final showing in national team colours is Spain's Billie Jean King Cup captain Anabel Medina Garrigues. Medina Garrigues was in the Spanish team when Suarez Navarro made her Billie Jean King Right Suarez Navarro returned to compete at Tokyo 2020 Le Spain's Billie Jean King Cup team in Chie , Italy in 2018

• Cover