All good things must come to an end, and with a whole host of emotions that I say goodbye to my playing career.
The reality is that all of this started as just a game. I always thought tennis could be a sport for life for me, but I never envisioned that it would make my life. There were many wins and losses along the way, but I always felt like my purpose in this game was to simply work to be better today than I was yesterday. That was my driving force, my why, and the thing that kept me going for more than two decades. And I had the time of my life doing so.
To any person who comes from South Asian heritage: I’m here to tell you that you can do anything you want if you commit to it. There’s no certain path you have to follow, and nothing is out of reach. If you set your mind to achieving your dream and surround yourself with the right people, it can happen… I’m living proof.
And finally, to all of those who supported me, cheered for me, suffered with me, and loved me… Thank you. It’s you who took me from the boy with a passion in the first picture to the man with a lifetime of memories in the last picture. I hope I did you proud.
And Dad… there have been so many days I’ve wanted to share with you, and this is no exception. I miss you. I love you. Thank you.
I hope I made you the proudest.
Now that the dust has settled, I genuinely cannot believe we’ve got a Spain-Argentina final.
Feels surreal in ways I cannot explain. I don’t believe in destiny, but man…