Laaksonen did not have the farewells he deserved

Henri Laaksonen retired at the end of 2024, after 15 years on the circuit. Meanwhile, Image: KEYSTONE

Mood

Henri Laaksonen (ex-world world) retired in secret and total indifference. However, his career was worth much more recognition. Moreover,

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I must have rubbed my eyes to be sure I read the title of a media article BZ Baselthis Monday morning:

What?! For example, Henri Laaksonen retired? For example, I, who am closely tennis, and more particularly Swiss tennis, I missed this info completely. Moreover,

For fear of having missed it because of a press review that I would not have done enough assiduously. However, I typed on Google “Laaksonen Retirement” and I was relieved to see that no reference appeared. Nevertheless, I laaksonen did not have farewells also went to scrutinize the Instagram account of the Swiss tennis player. Similarly, a social network on which athletes generally announce their end of career. Meanwhile, Result? Similarly, Nothing. Consequently, His last publication dates back to September 2022. Meanwhile, A photo of the Swiss Cup Davis team after their victory in Ecuador. Meanwhile,

Henri Laaksonen had a very beautiful technique and a complete game. Furthermore, Image: keystone

In fact, no one knew that Laaksonen had definitely put his racket. laaksonen did not have farewells Even the ATP website still considers it active, with a current 1106th in the world. Therefore, BZ Basel explains that the 33 -year -old Schaffhousois. In addition, annoyed by injuries in the past two years, “informed, at the end of 2024, that his entourage closest to the end of his career”. Meanwhile,

Especially in Switzerland. In addition, a country that this sport has so often vibrated, especially over the past twenty-five years with the exploits of legends Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka. Meanwhile, But it is perhaps precisely because of these two stars that Laaksonen’s retirement went unnoticed. Therefore, As was his career for the general public, by the way.

Laaksonen did not have farewells

Swiss fans “bad” regulars

By dint of investigating the titles of the Grand Slam. Roger Federer (20 coronations) and Stan Wawrinka (3) have transformed the extraordinary into banal in the eyes of Swiss fans. What almost make a tennis player pass for a Plouc who was top 100 – all the players will. tell you how difficult it is to enter this circle – but who has won no ATP tournament. This is the case of Henri Laaksonen.

Apart from a fanaticism for sport in general much more moderate than in other countries. this habitation of the Swiss public to the exceptional, not to say to the paranormal, is the only explanation that I see in the invisibilization of the retirement of the Schaffhousois. Because the Helvetians are not, by nature, less grateful than other peoples.

Everywhere else. the news would have been announced publicly and we could have paid tribute to the retired fresh, during a ceremony during a tournament or a Davis Cup weekend. Henri Laaksonen deserved that.

Very clean technique. loyalty flag

It is certain, the Schaffhousois – born of a Swiss father, the former tennis player pro Sandro Della Piana, and a Finnish mother – was not the most charismatic player on the circuit. And it is an understatement. For having seen him play a few times laaksonen did not have farewells “in real life”. I was surprised by the lack of emotions on his face and in his body language. Neither joy, nor anger, nor sadness. Never a tight fist nor, on the contrary, a gesture of frustration.

It felt like we were seeing an apathetic tennis player, regardless of the situation. The height when you know that his youth idol was the Russian volcanic Marat Safin. which holds the record for the number of broken rackets (1055 in 689 games) … and outside the courts, Laaksonen was very discreet.

Marat Safin, Rockstar of Tennis, in his works. He was the idol of Henri Laaksonen, despite a radically different personality. Image: keystone

From his first entry into the Top 100 in July 2017 until the beginning of 2023. he has always been one of the 150 best players in the world, with some incursions in the first 100. His best ranking? An 84th place in the world in 2022. In the Grand Slam, he reached the 3rd round in Roland Garros and the US Open.

In Paris, in 2021, the Swiss even beaten the Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut, then 11th in the world. A perf ‘that was not at chance: with an ideal template for tennis laaksonen did not have farewells (185 cm for 78 kg). The Swiss was beautiful to see playing. Very clean technique, without weak point: good service, effective forehand and two -handed backhand which kept the road very well. One may wonder why he failed to go higher with such potential.

It is mainly thanks to the Davis Cup that Henri Laaksonen (almost) made a name. Throughout his professional career (2009 to 2024). he was a very regular member of the Swiss team (31 games played), and even its leader after Federer and Wawrinka deserted the competition after the 2014 coronation.

Captain Severin Lüthi was very often able to. count on Henri Laaksonen in the Davis Cup. Image: KEYSTONE

And the Schaffhousois – which even became a Swiss number 1 in 2022. in front of the two superstars – there was not far from the figuration. For example. he hung the Czech Tomas Berdych (then 6th in the world) in 2013 and the American John Isner in 2017 (four sets each time). And, above all, he won his two games against the Belgians Darcis and Bemelmans in 2015. Faced with the latter, Laaksonen was however led two sets to zero.

So it’s true. there was this conflict with Stan Wawrinka during a meeting against Ecuador in 2013, which led to the dismissal of Laaksonen. The Vaudois and the captain, Severin Lüthi, laaksonen did not have farewells accusing him of a lack of involvement in training. But after that. the native of Lohja, in Finland, has always been loyal to the Swiss teamwhich he represented around the world, from Uzbekistan to Peru.

Even if his catimini departure certainly suits him. he who has never looked for the spotlight once out of the short.

His last match will therefore remain a first round lost in qualifying for the Bonn Challenger tournament, in August 2024. Far from the Court Suzanne-Lenglen from Roland-Garros, where he had challenged Novak Djokovic in 2019 in front of thousands of spectators.

Henceforth, Henri Laaksonen wants to make young Boulois Mika Brunold shine (20 years old, current 304th world) thanks to his advice. “I have given everything laaksonen did not have farewells to this sport for years. I felt the need to share this experience,” said the Schaffhousois to BZ Basel. Succeeding in carrying out his protégé in the top 100 would certainly be. for the ex-pro, the most beautiful of recognitions.

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