World No.2 Arnaud Genin has retired from International Racketlon with immediate effect.
The Frenchman announced his retirement on social media after three and a half years in the sport.
The former BWF star is retiring to focus on mountain and trail running, where he aims to compete on the Ultra-Trail World Tour.
“I’ve Reached My Goals”
Arnaud Genin’s time in racketlon has been short but incredibly successful. His career began in June 2018 at the CHA French Open where he won the Men’s B Singles and finished runner-up in the Men’s A Doubles. By the end of that year, he was already a Men’s A Singles champion – winning at the SWT 12. Austrian Open – World Tour Finals.
However, 2019 was a phenomenal year for the Frenchman. He won two more Men’s A Singles titles – the Thailand Open and Vienna Classics. He was also part of the Champions League-winning Sportyfriends Copenhagen team and won two World Championship medals – a silver in doubles and a bronze in singles.
In his retirement post on social media, Genin explained his decision by outlining his racketlon story.
“3.5 years ago, I was running in the mountains and Cedric Junillon came to see me and suggested that I start a racketlon career based on my previous international badminton experienced. I wanted to reach two goals: reach the Top-5 in the world and get a World Championship medal. Then, I did everything possible to do it.”
“2019 was an incredible year for me with a Champions League and Swiss League win, two international tournaments won in Thailand and Austria, a silver medal in the World Championship Doubles with Cedric, and a bronze medal in the World Championship Singles. And I’m currently No.2 in the world.”
“It was a huge investment for me to reach these goals after only two years. So much training, so many hours, so many sacrifices and a lot of pain. But it was the minimum to get a chance to reach these goals. And now the “job is done” as I like to say.”
“I guess some people would think it’s insane but, I’ve been driven more by duty than by pleasure. Today I’ve reached my goals. And I’m not wondering why would I stop, but why would I continue to play. I used to tune myself to reach a target, and then, I just want to reach another one. I’m unfortunately not able to do sport only for pleasure. I need something deeper which drives me to perform”.
“Thank You Racketlon World, I Wish You All The Best”
Arnaud Genin goes on to say “I’m sorry for people who expected me to go further – I know there are a lot. Racketlon was a step, not the beginning and not the end of my sports career either. Don’t blame me please, because it’s just the way I work and I have always worked like this.”
“I want to thank Duncan Stahl, Graham King and Sam Barker who is currently doing an amazing job for the FIR. Mandrin Mouchet also for Racketlon France.”
“All my coaches too – Oliver Ouazana (table-tennis), Benoit Letourneau and Paul Sciberras (squash) and JC (tennis). My sponsor #badandshop and of course Cedric Juninho. Thank you, my dear friend.”
“So I come back to my first and my best love – mountain and trail running. I’m going to train hard to reach other goals on the Ultra-Trail World Tour, as always. I’m glad to follow the adventure with #Sportandshop.”
“Thank you Racketlon world. I wish you all the best”.
Arnaud Genin has been the leading star in the French racketlon explosion over the last few years and will be sorely missed on the FIR World Tour.
Everyone at the FIR wishes Arnaud all the best with all his adventures moving forwards and happiness in his racketlon retirement. And of course, we hope to see Arnaud in the future at our tournaments, as a fan, coach, friend, or even with an on-court comeback if he fancies it.
Sam Barker / FIR Media Officer
Image Credit / rubinfoto.com
