Santoro at the Australian Open

A 37 ans, celui qui avait fait ses adieux en novembre dernier lors du tournoi de Bercy s’offre un dernier tour d’honneur sur le circuit: Il sera donc présent dans le tableau final de l’Open d’Australie, premier Grand Chelem de la saison qui débute le 18 janvier.

Make no mistake, he's not planning on returning to the main circuit, and he's clear about that: "This participation does not in any way call into question the decision I made to end my career as a professional player on the ATP tour.", précise le Toulonnais dans son communiqué. Pour lui, il s’agit surtout d’une "a very personal approach. It shouldn't be seen as anything else, and especially not as a comeback."
Another reality: he will become the only player to have played 70 Grand Slams, all over four decades. A record!

He also states "Tennis is my life, my passion. My decision to retire was never for me to put my rackets in the closet forever. And I will always play, in interclub, exhibition, and why not doubles from time to time, if I have the level to do so of course."