Aliona Bolsova, a 28-year-old tennis player born in Chișinău, Moldova, has announced her retirement from professional tennis. She played her last tournament at the WTA Catalonia Open before moving to the United States, where she will continue to compete in a league outside the ITF and WTA circuits.
Bolsova was born on November 6, 1997, in Chișinău and began playing tennis at a young age. Initially representing her home country, she later switched to compete for Spain, her family’s adopted nation. After participating in collegiate tennis in the U.S., she turned professional in 2018.
Aliona Bolsova Reflects on Retirement Decision
After eight years in the sport, Bolsova made the choice to retire at 28. Her final event was the WTA Catalonia Open, after which she relocated to the U.S. to play in a team-based league with unique rules. She aims to participate in Spain’s national team championship later this year.
“At this point in my life, what professional tennis offered me no longer compensated for the time away from home and the inability to nurture personal relationships and friendships with family. The constant dedication didn’t feel worth the effort anymore,” Bolsova explained to Mundo Deportivo. She emphasized that although she was performing well and could continue to climb the rankings, it was time for a change.
“I have often heard that I am very young, but ultimately, each person makes this decision on their own terms. There is no specific time to start or stop. Like any job, if it fulfills you and brings you benefits, you continue. If not, there are other things in life,” she added.
Ten years ago, Bolsova delayed her WTA debut to compete in the NCAA, describing that decision as a “survival choice” when she was neither mentally nor physically fit and needed to find an escape.
“I have had a love-hate relationship with tennis because I always felt somewhat obligated to play due to my father’s pressure as an Olympic athlete, and I never played on my own terms. Reevaluating my career and making my own decisions changed everything, allowing me to reconcile with tennis,” the former world number 88 noted.
Future Plans and Coaching Aspirations
Having completed her degree in History, Geography, and Art History in Barcelona, Bolsova is considering pursuing a master’s degree while contemplating a coaching career.
“I am not closing the door on tennis; I love it and believe I can contribute significantly. I have good skills to impart knowledge. However, I want to do something for my community and give back everything that life or sport has provided me so far. Tennis is an individual sport where one can be quite selfish, being the center of this small universe. Now, I want to be someone who offers to others, and that fulfills me,” she stated.
Bolsova advises aspiring players and parents that the first step is to learn how to lose, to cope with defeat, and to enjoy the game even when losing. “There is so much emphasis on victory and being number one, but realistically, very few privileged individuals achieve that. There is another level of tennis that can be financially rewarding,” she added, recalling her 2019 run to the fourth round of Roland Garros.
While she has not completely ruled out a return to professional tennis, Bolsova believes she must keep that option open, though she does not anticipate it will happen.
