At a very young age, Michelle Wie West impressed people with her strokeplay. So much so that many started comparing her to Tiger Woods. Her incredible skills and abilities showed that she had what it takes to become the best woman golfer in history. West won her first title in her rookie season in 2009, the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. A year later, she grabbed her second title with the CN Canadian Women’s Open. From there on, West managed a few more titles before her major downfall. Now, after her retirement, she finds herself away from the sport.
Burdened by the comparison with Woods, she also started imitating him and his habits, including the rigorous training regime he followed. It didn’t work for the 82x PGA Tour winner, as he did irreversible damage to his body, and the LPGA Tour pro also suffered from the same issues. She confessed that “training like a man” was the reason behind her downfall. West ultimately retired, the birth of her daughter pushed her to take the final call, and made her last appearance in the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open.
Recently, Golf.com had an interview with the 35-year-old in an attempt to learn about her life now. They asked the retired star, “How much golf are you playing these days?” To which, Michelle Wie West confessed that it’s not golf that piques her interest these days. She responded, “It’s definitely not a regular thing. If there’s an occasion to play, then I’ll play. I’m more into tennis nowadays.” Shocked by the response, the journalist inquired, “How did you get into tennis?”
Turns out, West never fancied tennis when she was a golfer. The ex-LPGA Tour star explained, “I never played tennis before because I’m a fade golfer, and in tennis you really have to turn it over. So it would always give me anxiety that I would mess up my golf swing. It was always one of the things that I wanted to do after I retired. I think I might join a league. [Laughs] If I could play every day, I would be so happy, but obviously that’s not realistic. And, unlike golf, you actually have to find a partner that’s sort of on your same level.” Mixing tennis with golf seems to have been a recipe for disaster for West. But now that golf is in the past, she has finally picked up the racket and is having a ball of a time.
JERSEY CITY, NJ – MAY 30: Michelle Wie West of the United States is interviewed prior the LPGA, Golf Damen Mizuho America s Open at Liberty National Golf Course on May 30, 2023 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAY 30 LPGA Mizuho America’s Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon23053016434
While she may have admitted to not going pro, it would be wonderful to see her compete again. Even if it’s a Pro-Am kind of event. Either way, would you be excited to see the retired LPGA Tour star try her luck in tennis? Let us know in the comments section.
The post After Various Struggles Ended Her Career, LPGA Legend Buries Golf’s ‘Anxiety’ With a Different Sport as Her Safety Net appeared first on EssentiallySports.
