Andy Ram, one of Israel’s most successful players, is considering retiring from the game.
Doubles specialist Ram will team up with Jonathan Erlich for Israel’s Davis Cup clash in Slovenia this weekend, but he has warned that he is close to ending his playing career.
Ram will be 34 next week and has just returned to fitness after surgery on his knee. He has slipped down the rankings and no longer qualifies to play at the major tournaments, together with Erlich, a long-standing friend.
"If I can’t play in the majors then I’ll retire,” said Ram. “It could happen in the next few months."
The former grand slam winners — who won the Australian Open in 2008 — Ram and Erlich have asked for a wild card entry to next month’s French Open and Wimbledon in June.
The fact that Ram and Erlich will be playing together against Slovenia gives Israel the edge in the Davis Cup Europe Africa Zone Group tie. The winners will progress to the World Group play-off in September.
Singles players Dudi Sela (69) and Amir Weintraub (198) will face Blaz Rola (118) and Blaz Kavcic (121).
Ram said: "I'm confident we’ll will win our doubles tie and believe that together with Dudi and Amir, Israel can win."
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