Google News Thomaz Bellucci on concluding tennis career: I feel happy and a little sad
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 2075
Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci admitted he felt "happy and a little sad" after his career officially came to an end at this week's Rio Open. Bellucci, 35, picked Rio de Janeiro as the tournament where he wanted to say goodbye to tennis.
Bellucci, a former world No 21, was granted a main draw wildcard into the Rio Open. On Wednesday, Bellucci was handed a 6-3 6-2 loss by Sebastian Baez in the Rio Open first round. “It is the right time. I feel happy and also a little sad.
Tennis was in my life for many years, it is not easy to stop playing, but I have enjoyed it a lot. Now my feels notices the years and the sacrifices I have made. It's time to do something else, to experience something new. I want to try to pass on my experience, train players, have a place here in Brazil to teach.
It is a beautiful moment of transition, of change in my life," Bellucci said after the match, per Punto de Break.
Bellucci fought hard but couldn't upset Baez
For Bellucci, Rio de Janeiro was his first tournament of the 2023 season.
Baez, ranked at No 35 in the world, entered the match as the big favorite to beat Bellucci. Baez started the match strongly, earning the first break of the match in the second game to open an early 2-0 lead. In the third game, Bellucci had his first break points of the match but Baez saved two break point chances to take a 3-0 lead.
Bellucci saved two set points in the eighth game to cut the deficit to 5-3 but Baez served out for the first set in the following game. After losing the first set, Bellucci served out the first game of the second set. Then, Baez claimed back-to-back breaks and won the next five games to take a 5-1 lead.
Bellucci saved two match points in the seventh game to cut the deficit to 5-2, before Baez served out for the match in the following game.
