Time to hang up your sports shoes?

The decision to retire is always an interesting one. Nico Rosberg retired after one successful season bur Roger Federer (22 grand slams) and Rafael Nadal (9 French Opens) drive their creaking bodies even harder to complete one more year on the circuit.

Golfers like Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia are in the autumns if not winters of their career still strive for that elusive major whilst Tiger Woods who has 79 US PGA titles in his golfbag is still, with his suspect back, out there in his red shirt on the last day seeking his 80th.

Gary Player who won tourneys in 4 decades and Jack Nicklaus’ spread of years in his 18 majors are as much hallmarks of their legendary status as the trophies themselves

Personally I find this obduracy bordering on obsession that drives serial winners refreshing if not inspiring , indeed that is why they are serial winners. Not for them family obligations, a ceiling on their ambitions and aspirations not knowing when to stop. Sportsmen are not automatons, they are not even rational … and that is why they become legends. These sportsmen do not aspire to be at the top, they redefine what the top is.