“Life doesn’t always work out the way you want, you have to adapt,” it doesn’t get more real than that. Take it from a man who battled constant pain for three years that forced him to quit the sport he only started showing his finesse in. Jared Donaldson had to retire shortly after turning 25. A heartbreaking story, indeed, and now, the American has candidly opened up about his struggles, and the reasons behind his abrupt retirement.

Years ago, Donaldson emerged as one of the most promising American players after he broke into the top 50 for the first time in his career. He finished semifinalist in Acapulco on March 5, 2018, for this feat. He had a whole journey ahead of him, but, something felt off to him. He couldn’t embrace the celebratory moment of his ascension because it was clear to him – that his road to glory would be tainted with physical restraints. Unfortunately, that strong feeling in his bones came to life a year later.

Donaldson’s last professional appearance came at the Miami Masters as he was driven into early retirement at age due to chronic knee tendinitis. Though he briefly returned a year and a half later at Delray Beach, a recurring knee injury sidelined him four months into the action. He underwent multiple surgeries to remedy the concern but, to no avail. It was reported in December 2021 that the American was done being a pro and decided to go to college – where he is a senior now. Years after drawing the curtain on his career, the Providence native is a changed man. Unable to overturn his misfortune in tennis never disabled him to lose sight of the big picture – A life outside the sport. He reinvented himself with academic studies and narrated his poignant journey via the blog, ‘Behind the Racquet’.

The letter read, “It’s been a relief to step away from tennis. Just before my second surgery, I remember being on the phone with someone and saying to myself that if the surgery didn’t work, I would have to stop and resume my studies. That conversation was a relief because I had already started thinking about the rehabilitation and the misery that it all could be. I think there should be more understanding and praise for players who take a big risk and miss many life events that are transformative and normal for the dream of playing tennis.”

That wasn’t the end of it. The ex-American pro further explained how the experiences he took from tennis, although a painful reminder of his unfortunate past, were appropriately flipped to deliver a pleasant outcome.

Jared Donaldson’s sheer will helped him create a different path after tennis walkover

American ex-pro Jared Donaldson had to go through the program twice. Meaning, that he had to put blood, sweat, and tears into producing laudable results in the sport, and when that didn’t work, he had to stay focused on paving a different career path for himself. It required the same determination that helped him reach the top 50 of the ATP.

In his letter, Donaldson continued: “I put myself in an enviable position after tennis, a new career that gave me opportunities to pursue what I want to do. I am very lucky for this opportunity, although it required a lot of effort, dedication, commitment, and intensity, the same as I once put into tennis. I don’t enjoy tennis anymore, I don’t play as often, but I am very happy. I loved being on the circuit, the competition, and the pursuit of something challenging. That’s maybe what I miss, the experience I took away from tennis, what I truly like.”

A younger Donaldson would’ve never believed how he turned his life around for the better. With a few more months remaining before he finishes college, the American is likely to have an impressive ending to what would’ve otherwise been a pain in the heart forever.