close
close

The former world number 4 beat Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, but had to retire at 26 after a serious illness

The former world number 4 beat Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, but had to retire at 26 after a serious illness

On August 14, 1984, in the small town of Tibro, Suede, Robin Söderling was born – a tennis player who did not shine in his professional debut and who few people believed could break into the top 10 or achieve resounding victories. But one coach changed his career forever: Magnus Normandone of the most notable Swedish tennis players of recent decades.

Magnus Norman brought out the best in Soderling, who had powerful shots but also many deficiencies in his game. In 2008, he began to show promise, but it was in 2009 that he solidified his place and achieved the most remarkable victories of his career.

That year, he surpassed Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros where no one had done it beforeand he did the same against Novak Djokovic on an imposing stage. A year later, he would end an impressive streak of Roger Federer at the Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal played his first French Open in 2005 and was champion, as well as in 2006, 2007 and 2008, but in 2009 the streak was broken, and the one who achieved it was Robin Soderlingwho beat him in four sets in the quarter-finals. He will then play the decisive match against Roger Federer, who manages to win and thus winning Roland Garros for the first and only time.

Robin Soderling and Roger Federer after the 2009 Roland Garros final, with Jean Gachassin and Andre Agassi. (IMAGO / Schreyer)

His first appearance in the ATP final

After being a finalist at Roland Garros and having excellent performances in general, Robin Soderling qualified for the ATP Finals, which took place in London and brought together Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic , Andy Murray, Juan Martin Del Potro, Fernando Verdasco, and Nikolai Davydenko.

see also

In the group stage, Soderling beat Nadal and Djokovic in straight setsadvancing to the semi-finals, where he would fall to Juan Martín Del Potro.

A historic victory over Roger and a new final in Paris

Roger Federer arrived at Roland-Garros 2010 with an impressive record: he had reached at least the semi-finals of the last 23 Grand Slam tournaments, but this sequence was interrupted by Robin Soderling in what was the only victory of his career against Federer.

In the quarter-finals of the big Parisian tournament, the Swede beat the Swiss and avenged the 2009 final. Soderling reached the deciding match again, but this time, the winner was Rafael Nadal in straight sets.

A serious illness ended his career

After winning the Bastad tournament in July 2011, Robin Soderling was diagnosed with mononucleosisan illness that left him bedridden for months and ended his career. Although he officially announced his retirement in 2015, his last official match was in 2011, at the peak of his career when he was 26 years old.