After retiring from competition in 1981, I did exhibitions and coached.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Had I been a great athlete, I'm not sure I would have even gone into coaching. I may have turned out feeling that my life ended when my athletic career ended, as happens so many times with various athletes.
In 1981, I spoke at the Olympic Congress. I was scandalised that I was the first athlete to be given that chance. But I made the most of it.
I was the very first athlete in East Germany allowed to go professional.
My career progressed slowly. Real slow at a time. The irony of it was I had the best part of my career between when I was 45 and 49 years old. That's when most people are in their twilight, waiting to get to the Champions Tour. And that's when I made most of my hay.
When I retired from tennis I wanted to do other things with my life.
The highlight of my career? The Olympics, of course.
My first career was as a coach and a teacher.
I remember watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with my nose right up to the screen, knowing there and then that I wanted a sporting career.
I was a keen sportsman, and became school captain in soccer and cricket.
I wish I could compete again, but my good feeling is, these competitions are better as exhibitions.
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