Stockholm Open draws Johansson out of retirement
Swedish tennis player Joachim ‘Pim-Pim’ Johansson is coming out of retirement on Monday after receiving a wild card draw at the Stockholm Open.
The 26-year-old Johansson, who originally retired from the ATP circuit in February 2008 after suffering from shoulder injuries for three years, may use the tournament in his home country as a springboard for relaunching his career fully in 2009.
Johansson told the ATP website his "shoulder feels much better" and admitted he could not resist the offer of a wildcard invitation from Tournament Director Per Hjertquist.
“When he asked me to play here it felt like a very exciting challenge. It's extra special for me to play this tournament, with home court advantage and with the wonderful atmosphere in the arena," Johansson said.
The Stockholm Open will be Johansson's only tournament this year, while he will resume a full schedule starting in 2009.
Johansson said after Stockholm he will consult with his doctor and build a workout program to get back in shape. He will start playing a full schedule towards the second half of 2009.
Johansson secured three ATP titles, in 2004 at Memphis, and in 2005 at Adelaide and Marseille.
His best Grand Slam performance was at the 2004 US Open, where he beat defending champion Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals before falling to Lleyton Hewitt in the semi-finals.
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The 26-year-old Johansson, who originally retired from the ATP circuit in February 2008 after suffering from shoulder injuries for three years, may use the tournament in his home country as a springboard for relaunching his career fully in 2009.
Johansson told the ATP website his "shoulder feels much better" and admitted he could not resist the offer of a wildcard invitation from Tournament Director Per Hjertquist.
“When he asked me to play here it felt like a very exciting challenge. It's extra special for me to play this tournament, with home court advantage and with the wonderful atmosphere in the arena," Johansson said.
The Stockholm Open will be Johansson's only tournament this year, while he will resume a full schedule starting in 2009.
Johansson said after Stockholm he will consult with his doctor and build a workout program to get back in shape. He will start playing a full schedule towards the second half of 2009.
Johansson secured three ATP titles, in 2004 at Memphis, and in 2005 at Adelaide and Marseille.
His best Grand Slam performance was at the 2004 US Open, where he beat defending champion Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals before falling to Lleyton Hewitt in the semi-finals.
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