Maldini doubles down on quitting
MILAN — Paolo Maldini’s tennis career ended abruptly after his debut on Tuesday, which saw the soccer great lose 6-1, 6-1 in a first-round doubles match.
The 49-year-old former AC Milan and Italy star stepped onto the court at the Milan Challenger event as its most decorated athlete .
But Mal- dini, whose tennis dream was to “play against Roger Federer”, saw his hopes dashed with a chastening loss to doubles specialists David Pel and Tomasz Bednarek while playing alongside his tennis coach, Stefano Landonio.
It was a logical result, given the players’ ranking history.
Dutchman Pel is ranked 208th in the world while Poland’s Bednarek reached a career high of 44th in 2014, reaching a quarterfinal at Roland Garros on the way.
Landonio’s highest ranking was 975th, which he achieved in 1996.
Maldini and Landonio were invited to the event thanks to their recent victory in an amateur tournament.
But although the Challenger circuit is one level below the elite ATP circuit played by the likes of Federer, it proved a step too far for Maldini and his partner.
Maldini produced a few strong forehands, but showed flaws in his backhand and was well below professional standard on serve.
It was over within an hour, and Maldini said that, as far as his professional tennis career is concerned, it is game, set and match.
“It was a great experience and one I really enjoyed, but I won’t repeat it,” said Maldini, who can nevertheless consider it a blip in an otherwise stellar sporting career.
A brilliant defender, Maldini won 26 trophies and five European Cups with Milan, playing a record 647 matches in Serie A.
He earned 126 caps for Italy and was a runner-up at the 1994 World Cup, losing to Brazil, and Euro 2000, when Italy lost to France.
Maldini is now technical director for Miami FC, which plays in the North American Soccer League.