Donaldson, fallen hope: 'Stepping away from tennis was a relief'
World No. 48 at 22 years old in 2018 and a participant in the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2017, Jared Donaldson could have hoped for a great career.
Unfortunately for him, knee problems prevented him from continuing his career: he definitively gave up in 2021, when he enrolled in university.
A life away from tennis
In remarks relayed by Tennis World USA in 2024, he recounted this episode: "Honestly, it was a relief to step away from tennis. I remember, just before my second surgery, I was on the phone with someone who basically told me that if it didn't work out, I should stop and go back to school.
That conversation was a relief, because I was already starting to think about rehabilitation and everything that entailed. I have a hard time imagining my life before. It's certainly not my first choice to be 27 and starting my final year of university.
A fresh start in studies
However, I will always be infinitely grateful to the University of Pennsylvania. I love studying. In tennis, I just wanted to improve a little every day. I think in life, professionally, you just have to want to learn more and more.
I didn't like tennis. I loved the competition and the pursuit of something really difficult. That's what I miss. That's what I took from tennis and that's what I really love."
Find the full investigation
The full investigation "Struggles with injuries and lack of money: the double penalty for tennis players far from the Top 100 stars" will be available the weekend of November 29-30.
