Former world number one announces sensational plans to return to tennis

Former world number one Marcelo Rios has announced he plans to return to tennis as a player at the age of 43.
The Chilean quit 14 years ago, six years after reaching the Australian Open final in 1998.
He also spent six weeks at the top of the rankings that year, although he never won a Grand Slam in his career.
Now, though, he is determined to make a comeback and is driven by the ambition to become the oldest ever ATP champion – although he will restrict his efforts to the Challenger tour.
“I’ve been training with pretty high-level guys.” Rios said during an interview with La Tercera.
“There are no guys that plays badly. I’ve been getting tired and I’ve had to lose weight.
“I have lost 12 stone and has almost reached the weight I was when I was a player (on the tour).
“I’m happy, it’s something different.”
First on the agenda for Rios is the Ohio State Varsity Tennis Center and which gets underway on January 7th.
“If I had not felt good or I had not lost weight, I would not have made the decision.” He added.
“From here to 7th January I can injure myself, because I train a lot, but I would like to do it, to get a wild card, to try it.”
“Imagine: winning a challenger at 43 is nice, whatever it may be.
“I feel qualified to play it and win it. If I did not feel good playing, I would not.”
Croatian Ivo Karlovic is the current record holder. He won the Calgary Challenger this year at the age of 39 years and seven months.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Tennis betting special: Rafael Nadal 9/2 to finish 2019 as world number one
-
Comment: Grigor Dimitrov’s disastrous year proves nothing is guaranteed for Alexander Zverev
-
Notable Orange Bowl winners: From Chris Evert to Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki
-
-
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario: From Spanish teenage prodigy to world No 1
-
Latest
-
News
Andy Murray out of Open Sud de France after losing to Egor Gerasimov
Britain’s two-time Wimbledon champion, still working his way back to form after undergoing hip surgery two years ago, went down 7-6 (8) 6-1.
-
Australian Open
Boris Becker ‘impressed’ by Nick Kyrgios, insists Australian has talent to ‘win Wimbledon at least once’
Boris Becker doffs his hat to Nick Kyrgios.
-
News
Fit-again Johanna Konta falls at the first hurdle in Adelaide as she loses against Shelby Rogers
The British No 1 has recovered from an abdominal injury.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty insists there is ‘extra pressure’ over world No 1 ranking battle with Naomi Osaka
“Extra pressure is non-existent for me,” says Barty.
-
ATP Tour
Jamie Murray explains why Novak Djokovic’s NBA-style bubble idea would be difficult to pull off in tennis
“That’s obviously very difficult,” says Jamie Murray.
-
Grand Slam
Boris Becker hails Novak Djokovic’s ‘tactical masterclass’ and explains how Serb outwitted Daniil Medvedev
Novak Djokovic “messed up” Daniil Medvedev’s rhythm.
-
Wimbledon
Spectators set to return for Wimbledon 2021 as Tim Henman outlines plans
Spectators look set to be in attendance at Wimbledon.
-
News
Andy Murray reveals he could not bring himself to watch the Australian Open
Murray set for first ATP Tour event of 2021.
-
News
Novak Djokovic to prioritise Grand Slams as he closes in on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
The Serbian is two major titles behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic to ‘take some time off to heal’ as he reveals abdominal ‘damage is bigger’
Novak Djokovic confirms injury worsened.