This Pro Tennis Player Praises God as She Announces Retirement
By Movieguide® Contributor
Longtime professional tennis player Shelby Rogers declared that she found her foundation in Christ throughout her career as she announced she would be retiring from the sport after the 2024 U.S. Open.
“When you start playing a sport as a kid, you never think about the ending,” Rogers wrote. “You just practice, have fun and chase your dreams as hard as you can. My dream was to be a professional tennis player, and I can forever tell that little girl we did it.”
“‘The Lord has done more with this dream than I could have ever asked or imagined’ (Eph 3:20) and I give Him all the glory and praise,” she continued. “Jesus has been my foundation and my anchor through this crazy life on tour. I am forever humbled by the blessing and joys He has gifted me through both the highs and the lows.”
“As I reflect on my career, I am beyond grateful for the memories, support, lessons, and love over the years,” Rogers added. “Tennis and the people I have met along the way have shaped me into the person I am today helped me grow in ways I never thought possible… My heart will always love this sport, and I hope I can pass along some inspiration to the next generation of players to dream big and keep growing the beautiful game of tennis.”
Coming into her final tournament, Rogers boasts a lifetime record of 307-262, including six singles titles and two doubles titles on the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour and quarterfinal appearances at the 2016 French Open and the 2020 U.S. Open.
In recent years she has become a contributing writer at Sports Spectrum, writing devotionals for their Fall 2023, Winter 2023 and Summer 2024 magazines. She credits God with giving her stability by finding her worth in Him rather than in tennis.
“You don’t have to prove yourself to God,” Rogers told the Sports Spectrum podcast. “You don’t have to earn your salvation; you don’t have to earn His grace. That’s a free gift that He’s given you, and you don’t have to perform for Him. You just have to go out, enjoy yourself, and use these gifts He’s given you… God isn’t looking at those worldly comparisons, He’s looking at your heart.”
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