2012 Wimbledon boys’ doubles champion Josh Ward-Hibbert has officially retired from tennis to pursue a career in basketball.
The 22-year-old achieved a ranking high of 10th on the junior circuit in 2012, but enjoyed little mainstream success on the pro tour. Failing to break into the top 500 in the singles, Ward-Hibbert managed to achieve a ranking high of 305th in the doubles. Playing mainly on the futures tour, the Brit won 14 titles (13 of which was in the doubles).
The decision to switch to basketball come as no surprise considering Ward-Hibbert’s previous success in the sport during his teenage years. In 2010 he captained the England basketball squad during their campaign at the European division B championships. Later that year he was named player of the year for his age category.
“It was very hard to choose between basketball and tennis,” He said during an interview with Hoopsfix.
“But I took the choice that I thought was right at the time. It’s been great fun and giving up tennis was a really difficult decision too, but at the same time, you’ve got to remember that I’m not just leaving something I love, I’m also going back to something I love too.”
Ward-Hibbert has returned to basketball team Derby Trailblazers, whom he spent most of his early career in the sport with. The trailblazers are currently in the top division of the National Basketball League in Great Britain.
“I’ve had a lot of history with Derby basketball, from when I was about fourteen, right up until I made the switch to tennis, so it feels good to be home. Basketball has always been one of my loves and I’m raring to go now I’m back here with the Trailblazers.” The 22-year-old said about rejoining the team.
In his first professional basketball game since retiring from tennis, 6’5″ Ward-Hibbert scored 11 points during Derby’s 58-55 win over Loughborough in their opening game of the season on Monday night.
