French tennis star Nicolas Mahut officially brought his professional career to an emotional end at the Paris Masters, concluding an illustrious journey that spanned over 25 years. The 43-year-old, who leaves behind a remarkable legacy in doubles tennis, partnered Grigor Dimitrov in his final professional match on Tuesday, where they fell 6-4, 5-7, 10-4 to Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
Mahut’s career is decorated with five Grand Slam doubles titles, cementing his place as one of France’s greatest doubles players. However, he will forever be remembered for his role in one of the most iconic moments in tennis history — the record-breaking 2010 Wimbledon match against American John Isner. The encounter lasted 11 hours and five minutes over three days, with the deciding fifth set alone taking eight hours and 11 minutes, setting a record that still stands today.
Speaking after his final match, an emotional Mahut reflected on the highs and challenges of his journey. “Being able to win Grand Slams was for me one of the best memories,” he said. “Beyond the titles and trophies, it’s everything that happened along the way — the doubts, the mistakes, and the perseverance — that made my career so rich.”
Mahut also shared fond thoughts about the legendary Wimbledon match that defined his singles career. “I now enjoy talking about that match because it was a crazy experience,” he said. “It brought me a lot, both as a player and as a person.”
Mahut’s farewell on home soil marked a fitting end to a distinguished career defined by passion, longevity, and resilience. His legacy will endure not only through his titles but also through his sportsmanship and the unforgettable memories he brought to the tennis world.
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