Four years after his retirement, one of the most exceptional players without a Grand Slam title has made a remarkable comeback to the tennis world. Tomas Berdych, who won't be playing on the court anymore, initially joined Jiri Lehecka's team this season. And this summer, he took on the role of Davis Cup captain. Berdych retired in 2019 due to a back injury and vanished from the professional tennis arena. As his former rivals are now also in retirement, he offers a unique perspective on the closing chapter of tennis.

Top 10 Player with Striking Skills

A former top 10 fixture and World No.4 in 2015, Berdych was an outstanding player with effortless power and remarkable skills. Most players today can only dream of having such abilities. He participated in 52 consecutive Grand Slam events until the US Open 2016 and 64 consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments until Montreal 2017. He qualified for the ATP Finals six years in a row and clinched 13 titles, including the Masters 1000 in Paris in 2005 when he was 20 years old and ranked 50. In 2010, he reached the Wimbledon final after defeating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, only to lose to Rafael Nadal in the final. His career story is one of greatness among the greats. In his country, Berdych is also a Davis Cup legend, having won the trophy twice in 2012 and 2013, played the final in 2009, and holds a 50-17 record in singles and a 21-2 record in doubles. In the list of players one is glad to have witnessed, Tomas Berdych's name stands out.

Retirement and Comeback

After retiring in 2019, Berdych took a real break from tennis. He needed time to mentally and physically recover. He wanted to do other things and take his mind off the sport. But when the opportunity to help Jiri Lehecka arose spontaneously and naturally, he got back involved. Later, he was offered the Davis Cup captain role this summer. After careful consideration, he decided it would be a good challenge for him. It just came naturally, and he never planned to become a Davis Cup captain.

Coaching Experience

Becoming a coach after his playing career was a different challenge for Berdych. He was used to making decisions on the court and dealing with situations quickly. Now, as a coach, he tries to prepare the player, help them gain experience, and give them a different perspective. Although it wasn't a full-time schedule, he was in touch with the team daily. Working with Jiri Lehecka was a new experience that he looked forward to. They achieved success together, with Lehecka winning his first title and beating Rafa in Madrid. Despite Lehecka's injury, Berdych believes he handled it well and is excited to see what the future holds.

Opposing Former Rivals

Berdych was once one of the closest rivals to Federer, Murray, and Nadal. Now, seeing them on the same team is a unique experience. He laughs when asked if he would have gone to Novak if he had called. He knows them well from his playing days and is excited to see how they will work together. The chemistry between them will be interesting to observe.

Retirement and Moving On

Retiring was a natural decision for Berdych. His health, especially his back and whole body, no longer allowed him to be competitive. He could have stayed on tour for a few more years by reducing his tournament schedule, but his ranking would have dropped, and he didn't want to be in a position he didn't like. He felt it was time to finish his career and made the best decision at that time. Now, he is enjoying a more normal life and is looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.

Legacy and Impact

Looking back at his career, Berdych realizes the significance of his time in tennis. He sees that some kids may have started playing because of him and taken inspiration from his playing style. It's a new reward for him to know that he has had an impact on the sport. He takes pride in what he achieved and is happy to be part of the tennis history.

Game Changes and Comparisons

Berdych believes the game has changed. There are less creative aspects, and the top 10 players seem to have less differences. He wonders if he could match up with the current generation like Sinner and Alcaraz. He thinks it would be a nice experience to play with them. Comparisons are always tough as they are hypothetical, but he hopes for more rivalries in tennis to make it better.

Dealing with Praise

When people praise him as a crazy good player who was unbelievable but never won a Grand Slam, Berdych takes it as a compliment. He knows he did his best and is at peace with the outcome. He realizes that he could have done some things differently, but it didn't happen. He is content with his career and the achievements he made.