Top 10 athletes who ended their career on a high

If there is one thing that any sportsperson from across the world would wish for, it is to sign off on a winning note. The careers of many legends have ended with them tasting success, while others weren’t so lucky in their last outing.One can just sit and admire the way their career progressed and the accolades they won. Saying goodbye to a sport that you love the most is not the easiest thing to do in the world. These athletes took it upon themselves to bow out on a high irrespective of the odds stacked against them.Micheal Clarke bid adieu to his One-day international (ODI) career after winning the World Cup.Let us look at other athletes who had a perfect swansong.

#10 Imran Khan

Former Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan retired from all forms of cricket at the end of 1987 World Cup. Pakistan president at the time, Zia ul Haq requested Imran to lead the team again owing to popular demand from across the country.

The flamboyant cricketer did return to the national team and led them to their first and only World Cup victory in 1992. Imran scored 185 runs and picked up 7 wickets in the tournament.

The Pakistan team got heroes’ welcome back home and it was a perfect farewell to Imran Khan’s career.

#9 John Elway

John Elway is one of the best quarterbacks in the history of National Football League (NFL). After missing out on three Super Bowl titles in the 1980s, the Denver Broncos player ended his career by winning two back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999.

As a mark of respect, the Broncos retired Elway’s No. 7 jersey in 1999. Elway still remains the oldest quarterback to win the Super Bowl, winning his last at the age of 38.

#8 Philipp Lahm

The footballing world was surprised when Philipp Lahm announced his retirement after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He was 30 years old at the time. Lahm later clarified in a press conference that he was pondering over the decision from the previous season.

The victory in Brazil made him the fourth German captain after Fritz Walter (1954), Franz Beckenbauer (1974) and Lothar Matthäus (1990) to lift the trophy, but he is the only one to have lifted the trophy for a unified Germany.

He will continue to play for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

#7 Pete Sampras

14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras ended his career without winning the French Open. The former World No. 1 held the record for most Grand Slam wins before Roger Federer overtook him in 2009.

Sampras- Andre Agassi rivalries is one of the best in the sport and Sampras couldn’t have asked for a better ending to his career. Sampras beat Agassi 6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 to win his 5 th US Open and his last Grand Slam in front of his home crowd.

Here is the retirement ceremony of Sampras.

#6 Bill Russell

5-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) and 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell was the reason behind Boston Celtics’ domincance in the early 60’s. His shot blocking and man-to-man defense were impressive. Although he wasn’t the main offensive player in the team, Russell scored 14, 522 points during his 13-year career.

A gold medallist with the USA national basketball team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic games, Russell retired after clinching his 11th NBA title with a win over the Lakers.

#5 Steffi Graf

22-time Grand Slam champion Steffi Graf is one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. Graf still holds the record for most weeks as World No. 1 – 377 weeks (both male and female).

The defining moment in her career was in 1988 when she won a Calendar Golden Slam (winning all four Majors and the Olympic gold). She is the only player to achieve this incredible feat. Graf retired in 1999 at the age of 30,ranked No. 3 in the world.

The 1999 French Open victory is her last Grand Slam win.

Here is what she said after her retirement:

"I have done everything I wanted to do in tennis. I feel I have nothing left to accomplish. The weeks following Wimbledon [in 1999] weren't easy for me. I was not having fun anymore. After Wimbledon, for the first time in my career, I didn't feel like going to a tournament. My motivation wasn't what it was in the past.”

#4 Bobby Jones

Co-founder of the Masters, Bobby Jones was the most successful amateur golfer of all time. He retired at the age of 28 not before achieving something unique.

Jones won the golf Grand Slam in 1930 and walked away from the sport after winning the US Amateur Championship.

#3 Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan did not win a championship at the time of his last retirement. However, the 5-time MVP retired twice after winning the NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1993 and 1998.

He achieved his first three-peat with the Bulls from 1991-93 before embarking on a baseball career. Jordan returned to the Bulls in 1995 and achieved his second three peat with the team.

#2 Steve Redgrave

British rower Steve Redgrave is one of the most successful Olympians of all time. Redgrave won five gold medals in five consecutive Olympic games from 1984 to 2000.

He announced his retirement from hte sport after clinching his fifth gold medal in Sydney. The Brit was also impressive at the World Championships winning 9 gold medals to go with 2 silvers and a bronze.

#1 Mark Spitz

When it comes to signing off on a high, no one comes close to American swimmer Mark Spitz. He won seven gold medals in the 1972 Munich Olympics setting world records in all seven events.

He won a total of 9 Olympic golds, a silver and a bronze in his two Olympic appearances – 1968 Mexico City games and 1972 Munich games.

After the Munich Olympics, Spitz retired from the sport at the age of 22.