Robin Soderling becomes director of Stockholm Open; dismisses retirement rumours

Swedish tennis player Robin Soderling

Robin Soderling, the Swedish tennis ace, has become the tournament director at the Stockholm Open, but has refuted suggestions that he is retiring from the game.

Soderling, who had reached a career high ATP Ranking of 4 in 2011, has not played competitive tennis for over two and a half years. He has had a series of health problems in this time, including mononucleosis, which causes extreme fatigue. The Swede last played at the Swedish Open finals in Bastad in July 2011, which he won.

“Robin Soderling takes up the position as ambassador and tournament director,” wrote the organisers of the Stockholm Open on the event’s website.

“The decision to help strengthen the tournament line-up and cooperation with sponsors does not mean he has given up hope of making a comeback on the ATP World Tour,” they added.

In a statement, Soderling said he was “training carefully for a return” and that he found it “stimulating to be involved in tennis” in the meantime.

The 29-year-old, in his time away from the game, has reportedly been so ill at times that he has been rendered incapable of any physical effort.

At a press conference in Stockholm on Wednesday, Soderling said he would want to return to playing at his previous level on the ATP Tour but refused to put a date on his possible comeback.

“When I finish with tennis I want it to be my own choice,” he told Swedish news agency TT.