TheNewsGuru

Tag: Retirement

  • We’ll miss seeing you on the court – Messi writes Federer

    We’ll miss seeing you on the court – Messi writes Federer

    Paris Saint-Germain star, Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to Swiss hero, Roger Federer, praising him for his incredible career.

    Federer had on Thursday announced his retirement from competitive tennis in a heartfelt social media post.

    The upcoming Laver Cup in London will be Federer’s last ATP tournament.

    Reacting, Messi, in a post on his Instagram account, described Federer as a genius who is an example for any athlete.

    “A genius, unique in the history of tennis and an example for any athlete.

    “All the best in your new stage, we will miss seeing you on the court making us enjoy, @rogerfederer,” Messi said.

  • Federer announces retirement after Laver Cup [See achievements]

    Federer announces retirement after Laver Cup [See achievements]

    Tennis great Roger Federer on Thursday announced his retirement from the sport following the upcoming Laver Cup.

    The 20-time grand slam singles champion, seen by many fans as the best men’s tennis player ever, has been out all season after knee surgery.

    But the 41-year-old had been expected to bow out in 2023.

    Federer was due to make his comeback in next week’s Laver Cup in London, a competition he helped dream up, but has now decided it will be his final professional tournament.

    “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour,” the Swiss wrote on social media on Thursday.

    “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form.

    “But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately have been clear.”

    His announcement comes just weeks after women’s tennis great Serena Williams said she was quitting the sport.

    Federer added: “I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years.

    “Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.”

    Federer’s last grand slam title came at the 2018 Australian Open before injuries really began to hit.

    He has been usurped as the most successful men’s grand slam singles player of all time by great rival Rafael Nadal, who now boasts 22 titles while Novak Djokovic has 21.

    But the numbers only tell part of the story.

    Many pundits agree no male player has ever made tennis look so effortless and few have been as courteous on and off the court.

    His first grand slam win came at Wimbledon in 2003 when he finally fulfilled his immense talent after a few missteps as a young player on tour.

    The once pony-tailed player soon completely dominated the ATP Tour and the grand slams, winning a record eight Wimbledon singles titles in all.

    These include five in a row before a epic final loss to Nadal in 2008.

    He was world number one for a record 237 consecutive weeks as he racked up six Australian Opens, five US Opens and eventually the 2009 title at the French Open to complete the set.

    A gold medal in the Olympic doubles in 2008 and a silver in singles in 2012 were also highlights as well six end-of-season Tour Finals triumphs.

    Roger Federer’s life and career achievements

    Born: Aug. 8, 1981 in Basel, Switzerland

    Tournaments won: 103

    Prize money: 130,594,339 dollars

    Grand Slam titles: 20 (6 x Australian Open: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018; 1 x French Open: 2009; 8 x Wimbledon: 2003-2007, 2009, 2012, 2017; 5 x US Open: 2004-2008)

    Further achievements: Olympic gold in doubles 2008, Olympic silver in singles 2012, Davis Cup winner with Switzerland in 2014

    Family: Married to Mirka Vavrinec, four children

  • U. S. Open: Serena Williams puts off retirement

    U. S. Open: Serena Williams puts off retirement

    Serena Williams signaled she is not ready for retirement advancing to the second round of the U.S. Open on Monday with a scrappy 6-3 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic.

    The victory over the 80th-ranked Kovinic, just her second this year, will be a confidence boost for Williams but the path to a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam now gets treacherous.

    Waiting in the wings is Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit, who breezed past Jaqueline Cristian 6-3 6-0.8.

    Williams indicated her intention to retire in a Vogue article in early August, saying she was “evolving away from tennis” but never confirming the U.S. Open as her final event.

    For tennis fans, however, the message was clear, the U.S. Open would be where she would take her final bow.

    Could there be an encore?

    The former world number one has played coy even refusing to rule out next year’s Australia Open.

    But in a strange post-match ceremony celebrating her career, which was not yet found.

  • Army reacts to report on voluntary retirement of soldiers

    Army reacts to report on voluntary retirement of soldiers

    The Nigerian Army says it will not be deterred by mischief makers and enemies of the country trying to create disharmony in the service.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig;-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu was reacting to a fake report by some online media that the voluntary retirement of some personnel was due to corruption, poor condition of service and low morale in the Army.

    The spokesman said the enemies of the country have again failed in their efforts to dampen the morale and fighting will of loyal, dedicated and patriotic fighting force of the Nigerian army.

    Nwachukwu said that Nigerian army was not a “conscript army”, but an organisation entered into voluntarily and with clear policy on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers.

    He said that Army personnel have the right to apply for voluntary discharge, when they deemed it fit and also met the terms and conditions.

    The Army spokesman advised the mischief makers to be abreast of the Army’s 2017 revised Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service of Soldiers/Ratings/Airmen, so as to stop embarrassing themselves in the eye of the public.

    “It is thus, the inalienable right of a personnel to voluntarily or on medical grounds, apply for discharge, if they meet the terms.

    “It is therefore not an aberration that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt;-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, granted approval for 91 NA/32/4792 WO Ndagana Ishiaku and 242 others to voluntarily discharge from the Nigerian Army, as being unprofessionally manipulated by some media,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said that the COAS had made critical intervention on troops welfare to raise their morale in the theatre of operations.

    He added that the interventions included provision of car and housing loans, construction and renovation of accommodations, as well as residences and vehicles for Regimental Sergeant Majors.

    Others include the provision of scholarship to children and wards of fallen heroes and other unique interventions in the theatres of operation to sustain and heighten the morale of troops, he said.

    “These interventions evidently account for troops’ game changing onslaught in the North East.

    “It must also be mentioned, that the quantum of equipment that have been injected into the theatres and prompt payment of operational allowances, have all turned the tide against the insurgents.

    “Also worthy of note is the welfare flight for troops, which has significantly reduced the burden of troops travelling in and out of the theatres.

    “In addition to huge commitment on the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers and the barracks communities.

    “Equally important, is the fact that troops are now being regularly and consciously rotated from the frontline, hence, issues of overstay and battle fatigue are gradually being overcome,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said that some of the recently discharged soldiers were beneficiaries of the COAS’ giant strides in welfare interventions.

    He said that the COAS congratulated the those leaving the Army for their gallantry, patriotism, loyalty and courage while in service and wished them the very best.

    Nwachukwu said the COAS would continue to make direct impact on the welfare and wellbeing of both serving and retired personnel.

    He said a luncheon has been planned for retired commanders to honour them for their services to the nation.

  • Immigration: ‘It’s only out of service, not out of the society’ – Retiring Ondo CIS, Oni

    Immigration: ‘It’s only out of service, not out of the society’ – Retiring Ondo CIS, Oni

    The outgoing Comptroller of Immigration Service, Ondo State Command, Dayo Idowu Oni has said there is more to life after retirement.

    Oni, who also celebrated his 60th birthday on the day of his retirement on Monday dedicated his years of service to God.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the Ekiti-born boasted that his 35 years of service in the Nigerian Immigration Service were without blemish.

    ‘I told other service chiefs, that the journey has not been very easy, it’s a long journey but at the end of the day we thank God for making it a success, he said.

    ‘When we talk of someone spending 34 or 35 years in service, you will believe that you will not encounter problems or challenges but by the Grace of God we’re able to overcome the challenges, and here we are today celebrating, thanking God for the service rendered to my nation and to my service’.

    ‘I came into the job in April 1988 and since then I have been doing my work going round the country, almost all the states in the north without any blemish or being issued a single query throughout my service’.

    ‘I’m so happy for the exit and people are happy with me’.

    Speaking with TNG, the retiring CIS spoke about life after retirement:

    ‘There is nothing so spectacular, we all know after working for some time, you have to retire so we are prepared for it and may God help us, we’re not going to live a negative life. It is only out of service, not out of the society’.

  • Carlo Ancelotti reveals last job before retirement

    Carlo Ancelotti reveals last job before retirement

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti admits the current job will be his last in management.

    Ancelotti has made his decision: after his current tenure at Real Madrid, the Italian’s coaching career will come to an end.

    Speaking to Il Messaggero, Ancelotti said it would make little sense to take another managerial job after his second stint at the Bernabéu: “24 titles in my career? The truth is that these numbers do not matter to me.

    “I’ll think about that at the end, when taking stock makes more sense. Now I am focused on training; I like the daily work. Until a few years ago, my priority was tactics. Now I focus on human relations, getting to know people and new generations.

    “This stage at Madrid will bring an end to my career. After Real Madrid, I will retire. Real Madrid is at the very top of football. It makes sense to call it a day after this experience.

    “If we’re talking about trophies, Madrid and Milan are the teams I feel most connected to. This current Madrid side is at a very high level and not only in the technical sense. It is a very serious team, with humble players: even the stars keep their feet on the ground. Modric, Casemiro and Benzema, the most experienced players, manage the group. The quality is indisputable, but that alone is not enough. The human aspect is fundamental and this Madrid side is unique.”

  • Tevez announces retirement after losing father

    Former Manchester City and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has announced his retirement.

    Tevez has confirmed his retirement after the Argentinian said he could no longer continue playing following the death of his father last year.

    Tevez revealed he had turned down offers from the United States to prolong his trophy-laden yet controversial career as he officially brought his time in football to a close at the age of 38.

    Tevez said he had stopped playing after ‘losing his number one fan’ – his adopted father, Segundo Raimundo, who died following complications from covid-19 in February 2021.

    The Argentinian, who won three Premier League titles, two Scudetti and the Champions League, last played for Boca Juniors before leaving his boyhood club in June last year.

    Segundo Raimundo, who adopted the Argentine after his biological father died before he was born, had been fighting for his life for several weeks before his death and had not been given long to live by doctors.

    “I have retired, it is confirmed,” he said.

    “They offered me many things, including from the United States. But that’s it, I have given everything.

    “Playing the last year was very difficult but I was able to see my old man. I stopped playing because I lost my number one fan.”

  • What I want before retirement – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

    What I want before retirement – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he wants to win a trophy with AC Milan before retiring.

    The 40 year-old striker’s contract expires in June.

    “My future is football, my world is football,” said Ibrahimovic.

    “I am disappointed that I am not able to play at the moment, this really pains me, especially when the team is doing well. I want to be there and help the team, we’ve done great things since I arrived and now we are only missing one element: a trophy.

    “We are fighting to achieve this, I won’t quit until I have won something with this Milan side.”

  • Cristiano Ronaldo must consider retirement – Leboeuf

    Cristiano Ronaldo must consider retirement – Leboeuf

    Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf has called on Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo to retire.

    Ronaldo turned 37-years-old this month and his stated aim is to continue playing top-level football into his 40s. Leboeuf has seen enough.

    “Do you know what? I think there is a time where you have to think, ‘what do I do with my life and my career’,” the Frenchman told ESPN.

    “And maybe it’s time for Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of his career to wonder and have a discussion with himself, and maybe some of his family, to know what he has to do for the rest of his career, if there is a future in his career.

    “I don’t want to watch Ronaldo and have pity, because he’s been on the top for so many years.

    “I don’t want him to be a normal player. He’s been an exceptional player for so long.

    “I’d prefer him to give up his career at the top instead of maybe trying and play for two or three more years and not being the player that he used to be.”

  • Sergio Aguero announces retirement from football

    Sergio Aguero announces retirement from football

    Sergio Aguero has announced his retirement from football within six months of joining Barcelona from Manchester City.

    Aguero, 33, made only five appearances for the Catalan side as a result of injuries and health problems since moving to Spain.

    He was taken to hospital on 30 October after experiencing “chest discomfort” during a 1-1 draw with Alaves.

    Aguero finishes his career with 427 goals in 786 games.