Farewell, Maggie and Silvia--you each had a great run

Two wonderful WTA veterans, Maggie Maleeva and Silvia Farina Elia, have played their last professional tennis matches, much to the sadness of tennis fans all over the world.

Maleeva is the youngest of the three Maleeva sisters, who put tennis on the map in their native Bulgaria. For the last 26 years, there has been a Maleeva on the WTA tour, and all three sisters had distinguished records. Maggie, who had to fight her way back into the top of the rankings after a serious shoulder injury, eventually reached a ranking of number 4 in the world. She won ten WTA singles titles, including the 2002 Kremlin Cup, and five doubles titles.

Farina Elia's career was an unusual one in that she was on the tour for ten years before she became an elite player. Ranked as high as number 11 in the world, the Italian player's claycourt skills made her a joy to watch, as she elegantly lobbed and spun her way through matches. Farina Elia won three WTA singles titles and nine doubles titles, and was on Italy's Fed Cup and Olympic teams.

Both players will be missed by their many fans.