2-MINUTE DRILL

EARLY DEPARTURES Nico Rosberg stunned the world of Formula One and beyond by announcing his retirement on Friday at the age of 31, five days after winning his first drivers’ championship. Here are some other sports stars who retired at a young age:

Bjorn Borg, tennis: Borg retired at the beginning of 1983, at just 26. Considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, the Swede won Wimbledon five times in a row and also claimed six French Open titles. Borg failed to win the U.S. Open in 10 tries, losing four finals — 1976 and 1978 to Jimmy Connors, and 1980 and 1981 to McEnroe. He played only one tournament in 1982, reaching the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo, before announcing he was quitting the game.

Rocky Marciano, boxing: Marciano had been the world heavyweight champion for four years and won all 49 of his fights — 43 by knockout — when he retired in 1956 at the age of 32. The American wanted to spend more time with his family. He died 13 years later in a plane crash. Marciano, nicknamed the “Brockton Blockbuster,” remains the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated.

Lorena Ochoa, golf: Ochoa was the top-ranked female player when she announced her retirement in 2010 at age 28, putting aside golf so she could start a family. Ochoa was probably the best-known athlete in Mexico who was not a soccer player, winning 27 LPGA titles and two majors.

Justine Henin, tennis: The seven-time Grand Slam winner was still No. 1 in the WTA rankings when she shocked the world of tennis with the news of her retirement at age 25 in 2008. She said she had lost the desire to train. Before Henin, no reigning No. 1 had retired from the women’s game. But the break did not last long. She returned 20 months later and reached the 2010 Australian Open final. She retired for good in January 2011 because of a lingering elbow injury.