Hyderabad: The year 2020 was one of the most unusual years in the history of mankind. We were severed with a pandemic that lasted for over a year and a lockdown attached to it which was there for almost half of the year.
The year was also a bit weird for sports lovers as they had to distance themselves from the game as sporting events across the world were shut down due to a raging pandemic. Fans were shut out of the stadium and the tournaments went through pangs of uncertainty despite being encapsulated in bio-bubbles.
It won't be wrong to say that this pandemic forced many legendary players of the game to retire. Today, we will take you through the list of players who hang their shoes in 2020.
1. Iker Casillas
Spain’s World Cup-winning captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas announced his retirement from the professional game at the age of 39. The former Real Madrid skipper had called time on his five-year spell with side Porto in July after his contract with the Portuguese club expired.
Casillas had suffered a heart attack during a training session last year and has not played any competitive football since April 2019.
2. Maria Sharapova
Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova, one of the world's most recognisable sportswomen announced her retirement at the age of 32.
Sharapova burst onto the scene as a supremely gifted teenager and won her Grand Slams before serving a 15-month ban for failing a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open. The Russian former world number one's ranking is currently 373rd.
3. Caroline Wozniacki
Former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki announced her retirement from the sport after losing in the third round of the Australian Open. The Dane lost to Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. In the post-match interview, an emotional Wozniacki said that it was only fitting that her last match would be a three-set grinder and that she would end her career with a forehand error.
4. The Undertaker
The Undertaker gave his Final Farewell at Survivor Series, and it was a big night for his career. There were no live fans present in the Thunderdome, but there was likely a lot going through his head before he took that last walk to the ring.
The Deadman officially retired from the ring at WrestleMania 36. He made it official at Survivor Series as he gave his Final Farewell. The Last Ride docuseries told the story of how he came to this conclusion.