5 Unexpected Retirements happened in the History of Sports
Hey everyone, long time no see. So while meeting after a long time let’s talk about retirement, especially, the 5 Unexpected Retirements happened in the History of Sports.
Well for many fans this word – ‘retirement’ does not carry anything positive. This is a word that fans don’t want to associate with their favorite players. Still, retirement is an inevitable part of an athlete’s career, and sometimes it can mark the End of an Era.
We have seen many players retire because of different reasons like physical or mental stress, lack of motivation, or aging which are common as you who once was drawing like a crazy artist suddenly stopped even picking up the brush, they are humans too, and they also stop at some point and think, let’s pass on the torch to the next generation.
Here I present a list of 5 Unexpected Retirements happened in the History of Sports –
1. Michael Jordan (First Retirement in 1993)
About the Incident: On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan, at the age of 30, announced his retirement from professional basketball. This announcement came a few months after he led the Chicago Bulls to their third consecutive NBA championship.
The decision was unexpected, as Jordan was at the peak of his career, and had established himself as one of the greatest basketball players in history.
Reasons for Retirement: Jordan mentioned that the murder of his father, James Jordan Sr., in July 1993 was a significant factor in his decision to retire. He also mentioned a loss of desire to play the game, stating that he had nothing more left to prove in basketball.
His retirement sent a wave of tsunami through the sports world, as he was not only the face of the NBA but also a global icon.
Jordan’s departure left a significant void in the league and led to a difficult period for the Chicago Bulls. However, he made a return to the NBA in March 1995, leading the Bulls to three more championships.
This showed that sometimes, external factors can drag you down a lot, but he was able to get back and show the world that he still got this. Then he finally and finally retired on April 16, 2003.
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2. Björn Borg (1983)
About the Incident: In January 1983, at the age of 26, Swedish tennis superstar Björn Borg announced his retirement from the sport. Till then Borg had won 11 Grand Slam titles, including five consecutive Wimbledon championships (1976-1980) and six French Open titles. His decision to retire was a shock because he was still considered one of the best players in the world.
Reasons for Retirement: Burnout and a lack of motivation as his primary reasons for retiring. Despite his young age, the pressures and demands of professional tennis had taken a toll on him.
Borg’s unexpected departure created a significant gap in the men’s tennis circuit, as he had been a dominant force and a major draw for fans.
Although Borg made a brief attempt to return to professional tennis in the early 1990s, he was unable to recapture his previous form and officially retired for good.
– Not being insensitive, but sometimes, the best of the best are not able to perform at their peak, once they detach themselves from their career. Just saying.-
3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2020)
About the Incident: On August 15, 2020, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of India’s most successful cricket captains, announced his retirement from international cricket. Dhoni announced via an Instagram post, marking the end of a glorious 16-year international career.
Reasons for Retirement: His retirement was unexpected because there had been much speculation about his future, especially since he had not played international cricket since the 2019 World Cup. People were a bit anxious that this might happen, and it happened.
Despite this, fans hoped he would make a comeback. Dhoni’s decision to retire on India’s Independence Day was emotional for many fans. Under his leadership, India won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.
His calm demeanor and sharp cricketing mind made him a beloved figure in Indian cricket. Yet he continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings, where his presence still draws massive attention. I’m hoping to see ‘Thala‘ in next year’s IPL as well.
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4. Justine Henin (2008)
About the Incident: On May 14, 2008, Justine Henin, the world’s No. 1 women’s tennis player, announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 25. In her career, she had won seven Grand Slam singles titles and was considered one of the best players of her generation.
Reasons for Retirement: She mentioned that her personal reasons and a desire to live a life away from the constant pressure and demands of professional tennis were the major reasons for her retirement.
She expressed that she had achieved all her goals in the sport and wanted to pursue other interests (which is not a bad idea). Henin’s retirement was unexpected because she was still at the top of her game and a dominant force in women’s tennis.
As she left, the competition started to waver a bit in the WTA tour, and many fans and analysts thought of this as the loss of such a talented and competitive player.
She made a brief comeback in 2010 but retired again in 2011 due to injury.
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5. Vijender Singh (2019)
About the Incident: Vijender Singh, India’s first Olympic boxing medalist, hinted at retirement in 2019 when he announced his transition from amateur boxing to professional boxing. While not a formal retirement, this can be marked as a significant career shift.
Reasons for Retirement: Vijender won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which was a groundbreaking achievement for Indian boxing. His decision to turn professional in 2015 was seen as a move to seek new challenges and opportunities.
While he continued to box professionally and remained unbeaten in his professional career, his shift away from amateur boxing and potential retirement from all forms of boxing has significant implications for the sport in India.
Vijender’s success inspired a new generation of Indian boxers, and his eventual full retirement will be a notable moment in Indian sports.
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If you think that these retirements are just so they can enjoy the rest of their life in peace, you could say it. But the retired players are the ones who set some unbelievable expectations that the young generation tries to surpass. If this was not the case then how could we have witnessed, individuals shattering absurd records set some decades ago?
The retired players are the ones who left the sports but their legacy can continue in some form or other. They train people to become a more better version of themselves to raise the bar, a bit higher.
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—DHANYAVAAD—
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5 Unexpected Retirements happened in the History of Sports,