Swiss star to call time on her career after #TorontoFinals

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Nadine prepares to serve during the final of the A1 Major Klagenfurt. Photocredit: Andreas Langreiter.

There could well be tears in Toronto at the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals following Swiss star Nadine Zumkehr’s decision to retire from the game after the end-of-season spectacular.

The 31-year-old, with partner Joana Heidrich, reached the quarterfinals of the Olympics in Rio, losing to Brazilians Larissa/Talita.

But despite that success, the A1 Major Klagenfurt silver medalist has revealed that she will turn her attention away from beach volleyball and focus on family after competing in Canada.

“The match [against Larissa/Talita] was awesome, the atmosphere was incredible,” Nadine told Swiss newspaper Berner Zeitung.

“It was the most memorable match of my entire career. I said that shortly after the game and I still say it now: This feeling also convinces me that now it is the right step for me to end my professional career.”

The team, who have won three medals on the FIVB World Tour this season – including gold at the Sochi Open in May – are this week warming up for the Swatch World Tour Finals by playing in an event in Bern on the coop beachtour.

And it will be Nadine’s final appearance on home sand before she puts down the Mikasa for good.

“My generation – I mean the Europeans – we call ourselves the old-timers, as we have now done the second Olympic cycle,” she explained.

“The Brazilians and the Americans work differently. They are married, have kids, they’re on the road with a nanny, and they still play beach volleyball. I think, we Europeans like it more if we can do it step by step.”

So after an international career which has, so far, won her eight medals on the FIVB World Tour, her participation at Polson Pier will be her last. Will she go out with a blaze of glory in Canada? We can’t wait to find out!