Retirement in sports is not just about walking away from the game; it’s about walking into history and it’s never easy. When a sporting icon retires, it doesn’t just end a career—it ends an era. Fans are left clutching their nostalgia, while the athletes themselves must figure out the tricky balance between leaving at their peak and hanging around until the applause fades.
ALSO READ: Opinion | From #MeToo To #MenToo: Redefining Abuse Beyond Gender
Take Ravichandran Ashwin, for instance. Recently, the cricketing maestro hinted at moving on, sparking conversations about how legends know when to exit the stage. With over 700 international wickets and a sharp cricketing mind, Ashwin has always been one step ahead, both on the pitch and in life. If he does choose to retire now, he’ll leave as a force to be reckoned with, not as a shadow of his former self.
In sports, the right time to retire is almost as important as the career itself. Why? Because it’s the finale that lingers. Think about Sachin Tendulkar. His farewell in 2013 wasn’t just about ending his career; it was about crafting the perfect swan song. After achieving the monumental milestone of 100 international centuries, Tendulkar called it a day during his 200th Test match in Mumbai. It wasn’t just a retirement; it was a celebration. He left the game with his head held high, and his legacy untouched.
Contrast that with Diego Maradona. The Argentine football genius overstayed his time on the field, battling controversies and fitness issues that overshadowed his glory. Instead of focusing solely on his World Cup-winning brilliance, fans were left to reconcile with his decline.
Timing your exit can mean the difference between being remembered as a legend and being remembered as “what could have been.”
Steffi Graf’s retirement in 1999 is another example of grace and precision. At just 30, after winning the French Open and reaching the Wimbledon final, Graf decided she had nothing left to prove. She left at the peak of her game, with 22 Grand Slam titles and a legacy intact.
Then there’s Michael Jordan. His first retirement in 1993 shocked the world but was perfectly timed. After winning three consecutive NBA championships, he left the game as the undisputed king. While his later comebacks had their moments, his initial exit remains a textbook example of knowing when to say goodbye.
These athletes understood the golden rule - Leave when the world still wants more.
On the flip side, some athletes struggled to read the room. Muhammad Ali is a heartbreaking example. The Greatest stayed in the ring longer than he should have, enduring defeats that didn’t align with his larger-than-life persona. His fight against Larry Holmes in 1980 was a painful reminder of why timing is crucial.
Ricky Ponting, one of Australia’s finest cricket captains, faced a similar dilemma. His later years were marked by inconsistency, and his once-dominant batting form deserted him. While his achievements remain unparalleled, his delayed retirement somewhat diluted the impact of his career’s end.
Retirement isn’t just about the game, it’s about identity. For athletes who’ve spent their lives in the spotlight, stepping away can feel like stepping into the unknown. There’s also the pressure of public expectation. Fans rarely want their heroes to leave, even when the signs of decline are evident.
Yet, the best farewells come from athletes who put their legacy above public sentiment. Ashwin’s likely decision to bow out while still at the top is a case in point. His ability to outfox batsmen with his sharp mind and adaptability has made him one of cricket’s greatest thinkers. If he leaves now, he leaves as a legend, not as a player fighting against time.
Then there’s the balance to be maintained - When an athlete bows out gracefully, they pave the way for future generations to emulate not just their skills but also their humility and timing.
Retirement isn’t about quitting, it’s about preserving greatness. It’s about leaving a void that reminds us of the magic an athlete brought to the game. So, to every legend, past and present, who knew when to walk away—thank you for teaching us the art of the perfect exit.
(The author is the IGP (Admin & STF), Assam. All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own)
