Curtain comes down on Marcus Daniell's outstanding career

Marcus Daniell’s career came to an emotional end on Centre Court at the ASB Classic on Tuesday night.

The 35-year-old and his Kiwi partner James Watt lost 1-6 7-6(5) 10-2 to the Spanish duo of Pablo Carreno Busta and Sergio Martos Gornes in a match that the New Zealanders came desperately close to winning.

Daniell and Watt dominated the first set and looked to be in a good position to go through to the quarters when Daniell was serving at 30-0 and 5-3, but it was in that game that he pulled a calf muscle.

Daniell was never going to retire and battled on, receiving a medical time out once that second set tiebreak was lost and he continued to fight with Watt during the super tiebreak, but it was a cruel way for the match to finish for the Kiwi team.

Daniell was understandably emotional, expressing gratitude to the Kiwi fans who stayed late into the night to watch him play. He was also happy that his family were there for him to say goodbye to his life as a professional tennis player.

Speaking afterwards, Daniell said he was proud of how he and Watt played.

I'm amazed at the level that we came out with, especially James,” Daniell said.

“What a start, laser beam returns, massive serves, really couldn't put a foot wrong in the first set. 

“We knew it was going to change, you can't keep that level up for a whole match, so we knew we were in for a fight. 

“We did really well to get to a position where we were serving for the match, and probably a little bit of tightness on my part, a little bit of miscommunication between me and James and on the third point of that game, I can't even remember what step it was, but I did something to my calf. I couldn't really push off after that, and it's not enough against the good team.”

Daniell always knew the ASB Classic would be the end of the road for him. Now he’s arrived at it, he acknowledges it might take some time to sink in.

“It's my first time retiring, I don't know what I'm going to feel,” he said. 

"It felt pretty emotional out there the whole night. I was looking up and around more often than I usually would, and just trying to remember what it feels like out there. 

"It was really cool playing in front of my home crowd. I've got my parents, my parents in law, my wife, baby and bunch of friends and family here. 

“I imagine there's going to be a period of grieving and processing, but I'm looking forward to what's coming next.”

Daniell went on to show his appreciation for those who allowed him to bow out at the ASB Classic, the venue where he made his big breakthrough in 2010, winning the doubles title with Horia Tecau.

“I'm really grateful to Nico (Lamperin, tournament director) and Tennis New Zealand for giving me the opportunity,” he said.

“My ranking wasn't good enough to get in and they gave me the wildcard, and it made for a really special finish to a career, and to be able to finish it at home, in front of the home crowd, I couldn't have asked for more.”