Jo Jo, To Jo ( the Johansson) and Swedish tennis

[Annie]

PIM PIM ;D ;D ;D ;D Good blog ;D

[luxsword]

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/tennis/02/25/bc.ten.johanssonout.ap/index.html
Former U.S. Open semifinalist Joachim Johansson, one of the fastest servers in tennis, had shoulder surgery and is expected to be out at least three months.

[Annie]

Jesus Pim Pim talk about bad luck Get well soon sweetie

[jenhatter06]

bummer

Johansson Forced to Retire

Swede Joachim Johansson has announced his retirement from professional tennis after three years with shoulder injuries.

"I can practice for a few weeks and play an individual tournament but after that my shoulder gets overworked forcing me to rest for a longer period of time," said the 25-year-old, who has the nickname 'Pim-Pim'.

"Taking that into account it is hard for me to reach my objectives and for that reason it makes it impossible for me to continue my challenge.

"This is a decision that has developed during the last month. Now I will set myself new goals but whatever happens I will always continue to play tennis."

Johansson's shoulder problems started at the beginning of 2005 ATP season, with the first of his three surgeries performed on July 27, 2005.

His last MRI showed that there was constant inflammation in his right shoulder and that he was suffering from 'pitcher's shoulder' (rotator cuff tendonitis). Shoulder specialists in Sweden and Italy have advised Johansson that at this time no surgery can help him to overcome his problems.

The 6' 6" right-hander won three career ATP singles titles (2004-Memphis; 2005-Adelaide, Marseille) and reached a career-high No. 9 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings on February 14, 2005. He also won one ATP doubles crown.

His best Grand Slam performance came at the 2004 US Open, when he beat defending champion Andy Roddick before falling to Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals. The following year at the Australian Open, Johansson hit an ATP co-record of 51 aces in his four-set loss to Andre Agassi in the fourth round.

Johansson's last professional match on the ATP circuit came at Stockholm in October 2007, when he defeated Carlos Berlocq in the first round but had to withdraw from his second round match due to illness.

www.atptennis.com/1/en/2008news/jjohansson_retires.asp

[Dina]

oh LOrd! this is sad! indefinitive health is everything in life no matter what!

[Dina]

it's my pleasure ti give the good news...........
Johansson To Make Return To ATP Circuit

Joachim JohanssonFormer ATP World No. 9 Joachim "Pim-Pim" Johansson of Sweden announced on Friday that he would resume his professional tennis career starting at the If Stockholm Open, where he has received a wild card for the main draw, which starts on Monday.

The 26-year-old Johansson originally retired from the ATP circuit in February after suffering from shoulder injuries for three years.

“My shoulder feels much better and when Pelle (Per Hjertquist, Tournament Director) asked me to play here it felt like a very exciting challenge. It’s extra special for me to play this tournament, with home court advantage and with the wonderful atmosphere in the arena”, Johansson said.

The If Stockholm Open will be Johansson’s only tournament this year, while he will resume a full schedule starting in 2009. Johansson said after Stockholm he will consult with his doctor and build a workout program to get back in shape. He will start playing a full schedule towards the second half of 2009.

The 6’6’’ right-hander played his last professional match in Stockholm last year, defeating Carlos Berlocq in the first round before withdrawing from his second match due to illness.

Johansson captured three ATP titles at 2004 Memphis (d. Kiefer) and 2005 Adelaide (d. Dent) and Marseille (d. Ljubicic). His best Grand Slam performance came at the ’04 US Open, when he beat defending champion Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals before falling to Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals. He reached a career-high No. 9 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings on February 14, 2005.

yay!!!!!!!! really happy for Pim Pim!!!!!!!!!!

[jenhatter06]

Bjorkman Plays Final Singles Match Before Home Crowd

Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman played the final singles match of his career Tuesday at the If Stockholm Open, as he fell to Argentine lucky loser Juan Monaco 6-2, 6-4 in the first round.

"It was a very emotional match," said Bjorkman, who made his Stockholm debut as a 20-year-old in 1992. "I felt I could have played a lot better than I did because I was playing well during practice during the last weeks.

"From this match what I will remember the most is the standing ovation from the crowd after the match was over. It was an amazing feeling."

The Vaxjo-native was making his 16th appearance in Stockholm. He won his home country title in 1997 (d. Siemerink) - a moment he cited as one of his greatest memories.

Bjorkman finished his singles career with a 414-362 record, recording his last match win in July when he defeated Frenchman Arnaud Clement to reach the second round at ATP Masters Series Canada. He attained a career high ranking of No. 4 on November 3, 1997, after winning three of his six ATP singles that season. Last season, he made a memorable run to the Wimbledon semifinals before falling to eventual champion Roger Federer.

He announced his retirement plans this past June at the All England Club, writing in a message to tennis fans worldwide: "At the age of 36 I now feel it is time to begin the next chapter of my life, being at home with my family and pursuing other interests.

"I am very proud with what I have achieved as a professional tennis player, and I want to express a very warm and special 'thank you' to all of you that have supported me through the years, all of you that I have been working with, and all of you that have contributed in making my dreams come true."


Bjorkman plays in 1,000th doubles match, wins

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- Jonas Bjorkman played his 1,000th career ATP doubles match on Wednesday, teaming with Kevin Ullyett to defeat Americans Scott Lipsky and David Martin 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the Stockholm Open.

Bjorkman received a cake on center court of the Royal Tennis Hall.

The 36-year-old Swede, who has won nine Grand Slam doubles titles, has 698 wins in doubles. He could reach the 700-mark with his 53rd title in Sunday's final.

"It would be super cool," said Bjorkman, a two-time Stockholm Open winner in doubles. "It's fun to reach such milestones. We have played two really good matches here so far. They gave us no free points. They're very good."

Cyril Suk of the Czech Republic leads the list with 1,147 doubles matches (618 wins and 529 losses) on the ATP Tour.

[jenhatter06]

Bjorkman Retires After 17-Year Career

Jonas Bjorkman retired from professional tennis after the popular Swede and his Zimbabwean partner Kevin Ullyett failed to qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup semifinals on Friday. The pair lost to Polish duo Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-2, 1-6, 10-6 in their final Gold Group match.

"We were hoping to maybe get through [to the semifinals]," said Bjorkman. "I still think it's great to end my career in the biggest event of the year. But you can't get everything. I've been mentally prepared for this because I'm mentally very ready to retire.

"I've been very fortunate to be able to play for so long. It started as my hobby, and I've been able to do it for 17 years, which is great. I'm really looking forward for the next step in life."

The Swede ends his career with a 414-362 win-loss record for singles and a 709-306 record in doubles. All up, he played 1,791 matches in his career and earned more than $14.5 million.

Bjorkman enjoyed a glittering career in both singles and doubles. On November 3, 1997 he reached a career high of No. 4 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, that same year winning three ATP titles, including the Stockholm title (d. Siemerink) in front of his home crowd, which he cites as one of his greatest memories.

Bjorkman’s career has spanned 17 years and some of his finest moments have come in recent years. At the age of 34, the right-hander reached the 2006 Wimbledon semifinals, where he fell to World No. 1 Roger Federer, who went on to claim his fourth title at the All England Club.

"I think definitely the locker room will be something that will miss because it's very unique," explained the Monte-Carlo resident. "You're all in a way enemies and everyone wants to win, but you can still sit next to each other preparing for a game. I think everyone treats each other with great respect. It's also a lot of fun to be around everyone. To listen to all the trash talk in the locker rooms will be something that I will miss."

In doubles Bjorkman has enjoyed huge success, highlighted by reaching the No. 1 spot in the Stanford ATP Doubles Rankings on July 9, 2001 and capturing nine Grand Slam doubles titles, including three successive titles at Wimbledon (2002-04 w/Woodbridge).

As Sweden's longest serving Davis Cup representative, Bjorkman had the honor of winning the coveted title three times in 1994 against Russia, in 1997 against the USA and in 1998, defeating Italy in the final.

"I think Davis Cup weeks are probably one of the best weeks during the year," said Bjorkman. "The whole camaraderie is something that I definitely will miss. But hopefully I'll come as a spectator to watch and maybe be part of it a little bit.

"I would probably say winning the Davis Cup was something that was huge to be part of. very proud to be representing my country.

"To win the Stockholm Open, to win at home, is always something that you dream about. You know, winning Wimbledon, the doubles titles with Todd Woodbridge. It's the most prestigious tournament you can play, to be part of. To win that is something that I will remember well."

[Annie]

Awwww I guess it's time. He was sooooooooo much fun. I hope he goes to Black Rock ;D