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Tennis Champ Trades in Racket for Cards

15 November 2004

LONDON – As reported by the Associated Press: "Yevgeny Kafelnikov says he's given up tennis to become a professional poker player.

"'I have retired,' the former No. 1 player said in Monday's Independent newspaper. 'But I have not officially announced it yet. Some people still think I am just taking a break, but I believe that my time in tennis has gone by. Even if I came back, I would have no chance to play at the level I was.'

"…Kafelnikov won the 1996 French Open, the 1999 Australian Open, a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics, the 2002 Davis Cup and 26 ATP titles. He held the top ranking during the 1999 season.

"Kafelnikov, known for his love of roulette while on the tennis circuit, is competing in a poker tournament in Maidstone, south of London.

"'I find it very exciting,' he said. 'Because you win not with the cards but with your skills. With body language you can win a game, but also you can lose a game. You need guts in poker, as in tennis. And if you don't believe in your ability, you don't win. In tennis I believed in myself, that's why I had so much success.'

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