Gubenco Set to Retire
It’s never easy saying good bye to something you love.
Philip Gubenco of Longueuil, Quebec knows that feeling all too well as he has made the decision, at the age of 24, to retire from professional tennis. “This is not an easy decision to make, but it’s the right one. It’s just something you have to do,” Gubenco said.
Gubenco discovered that the task of finding a hitting partner who could play at his level to train with at his home base is not an easy one. Along with the demands imposed on his coach as the result of traveling across the globe were simply too much to bear. “It was hard to watch players move up knowing that I had beaten them before,” Gubenco said. “But, I’m happy that my last year was a good year. I had some tough, close losses in matches that would have made a difference if I could have pulled them out.”
Gubenco certainly did go out in style. The lefty put together an impressive 2006 season, fully living up to his reputation as a doubles specialist. He won four doubles titles on the Futures Circuit in Brazil, Canada, and Mexico in addition to reaching the semifinals in doubles at three Challenger events. The 24-year-old’s stand-out performances translated to a significant rise in the doubles rankings, an ascension that peaked at a career-best No. 279 in May 2006.
Perhaps what made Gubenco so unique, especially given the state of tennis today, is his loyalty, particularly to his coach, Yann Rapini. While many top players continually ride the coaching carousel, Gubenco and Rapini have been together since the beginning, developing a trusting relationship that survived both the good times and the bad for nearly 12 years.
Gubenco hopes that life after tennis will keep him involved in the sport. He plans on pursuing his Level 3 coaching certificate beginning in February, a profession he feels suits him well thanks to his player background. “As a player you know what mistakes you can’t make, so that will help me correct people. I already know what it takes to win,” Gubenco said.
Gubenco also wants to lend a hand to Rapini with his sports and study program in Boucherville and Brossard, Quebec as well as possibly enrolling in some university courses.
Regardless of what the future holds, Gubenco is looking forward to beginning the next chapter of his life. “It’s a bit scary, but I’m excited about starting something new.”