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**CIAFreeAgent** · 06-16-2010, 09:12 PM

VIENNA (AP) -- Austrian tennis great and former No. 1 Thomas Muster announced his comeback to the ATP circuit at age 42 -- 11 years after playing his last match on the professional tour.

The 1995 French Open champion said on Wednesday he's accepted a wild card into the ATP challenger event Nord/LB Open starting on June 28 in Braunschweig, Germany.

He said he planned to appear in more events on the second-tier circuit.

Clay-court specialist Muster, who won 44 ATP Tour titles, said he "still loves competitive tennis ... I won't set my goals too high but will just play my best tennis and we'll see where it brings me."

Muster said he "wants to feel that tournament atmosphere again. With hard work and the right ambition, a lot is possible."

Muster played his final match as a pro at the 1999 French Open, where he lost in the first round.

"I never formally retired, as I said after that match I would go on a holiday," Muster said. "So now I am just returning from my holiday."

Muster has played on the ATP's Seniors Tour since 2003, and captained the Austria Davis Cup team from 2004-06.

The Nord/LB Open, a clay-court event offering euro106,500 ($131,000) in prizemoney, confirmed it awarded Muster a wild card.

The Austrian, who earned career prizemoney of more than $12.2 million, led the ATP rankings for six weeks in early 1996.

His career was almost ruined when he severely damaged his left knee when his car was hit by a drunk driver before the final of the 1989 Key Biscayne tournament. He was back on tour less than six months later.

He went on to become the only Austrian to win a Grand Slam title by beating Michael Chang of the United States 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 in the 1995 final at Roland Garros.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

06-16-2010, 09:12 PM	#1
CIAFreeAgent Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 671 Senior Member	Thomas Muster announces comeback VIENNA (AP) -- Austrian tennis great and former No. 1 Thomas Muster announced his comeback to the ATP circuit at age 42 -- 11 years after playing his last match on the professional tour. The 1995 French Open champion said on Wednesday he's accepted a wild card into the ATP challenger event Nord/LB Open starting on June 28 in Braunschweig, Germany. He said he planned to appear in more events on the second-tier circuit. Clay-court specialist Muster, who won 44 ATP Tour titles, said he "still loves competitive tennis ... I won't set my goals too high but will just play my best tennis and we'll see where it brings me." Muster said he "wants to feel that tournament atmosphere again. With hard work and the right ambition, a lot is possible." Muster played his final match as a pro at the 1999 French Open, where he lost in the first round. "I never formally retired, as I said after that match I would go on a holiday," Muster said. "So now I am just returning from my holiday." Muster has played on the ATP's Seniors Tour since 2003, and captained the Austria Davis Cup team from 2004-06. The Nord/LB Open, a clay-court event offering euro106,500 ($131,000) in prizemoney, confirmed it awarded Muster a wild card. The Austrian, who earned career prizemoney of more than $12.2 million, led the ATP rankings for six weeks in early 1996. His career was almost ruined when he severely damaged his left knee when his car was hit by a drunk driver before the final of the 1989 Key Biscayne tournament. He was back on tour less than six months later. He went on to become the only Austrian to win a Grand Slam title by beating Michael Chang of the United States 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 in the 1995 final at Roland Garros. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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