It’s never easy for an athlete to walk away from the sport they gave so much time and dedication to, right? Take Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both legends have spoken openly about how, if not for their injuries, they would have played a little longer. But reality often has other plans. Jared Donaldson ’s story is a different twist on this familiar theme.

The American looked destined for stardom. In March 2018, Donaldson powered into the Acapulco semifinals. He cracked the world’s top 50 for the first time. His arrival on the big stage felt electric. One of the U.S. tennis’s brightest hopes had landed. Yet, even in that high, pain cast a shadow. It followed him everywhere, promising trouble.

“Honestly, it was a relief to step away from tennis,” Jared Donaldson later shared in 2024.

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