Should rugby players quit while on top, or squeeze every drop out of their career?

A recent sports article featured tennis champion Billie Jean King admitting she thought Australian Ash Barty should not have retired so soon. It set off the usual reaction on social media, with many telling BJK to “mind her own business” as to when Barty should retire.

One wise soul opined that “BJK was merely reflecting how she would have enjoyed seeing how far Ash could go.”

We are probably quite selfish when it comes to sportspeople retiring, as more often than not we want them around to give us visual pleasure and enjoyment. There is a feeling of disappointment that the retiree has left a lot in the tank and could go on to achieve so much more.

Billie Jean King said players should not go out on top and that she regrets her own decision to retire at 32 years old back in 1975. She admired Victoria Azarenka, who returned to tennis after having a child. “Being older she’ll appreciate more what is happening,” King said.

In some ways I tend to agree with her that sports people should just carry on until their body falls to bits and they have given every ounce of themselves to their chosen sport. Ego may play a part in going out on top, as the thought of people seeing them at their worst may not agree with them. Is it more important for the “legend” to live on? They have such a short shelf life at the very top, so why not make the most of it?

Tom Brady, the greatest NFL player of all time, retired earlier this week at the “ancient” age of 45, which is an example of someone playing on to the bitter end. James Anderson, the English bowler, at the age of 40 is another who is defying the usual trend to go out on top. Although, he is still bowling magnificently.

Most players would prefer to go out on their own terms, rather than fall victim to the selectorial axe or dreaded injuries. Many of us ordinary folk retire at the age of 65, with hopefully accumulated wealth and a few ideas on what to do with our remaining time on this planet.

But a sportsperson’s life is quite different with a small window of opportunity to make a career and a good income. When they retire may have a big impact on how the rest of their life is spent.

So, when is a good time to retire for sportspeople? I will use rugby players as an example.

Richie McCaw appears to have led a rather charmed life and even his retirement announcement seemed the perfect decision. But was it? He retired at the age of 34 after the 2015 Rugby World Cup and achieved everything possible in rugby. Yes, his body was battered and bruised after a stellar career but hypothetically speaking, what could have happened if the legendary All Black had continued?

You may laugh, but McCaw at the Brady age of 45? C’mon, Richie, I know you miss it! Flying helicopters, or playing rugby in front of 50,000 adoring fans? What a choice! He may not have been the Richie of old, but maybe a better player than the current lot.

The King, Barry John, Welsh wizard and fly-half extraordinaire, was a player who definitely quit way too soon. Or was he forced to? He was 27 when he announced his shock retirement to admiring fans, a year after dismantling the All Blacks for the Lions in 1971.

Writing his autobiography and becoming a newspaper columnist made him a professional, which meant he could not play the amateur game. He went out in his prime with the odour of fame becoming too overbearing.

“I did not want to stop playing; I just felt I had to, if only to be fair to myself. The regret, which I still have, was not ending my career, but having no option. I felt I had at least a couple more years at the top, but only if I could be me and the celebrity thing was getting in the way of that,” summed up John.

Injury often plays a part in a player’s decision to retire. Welshman Sam Warburton was one who fell victim to prolonged injury. He retired at the age of 29, citing the rigours of professional rugby on the body. It was a “red flag” for the pro game.

He was concerned how his general health would be affected by injury in later life, which is a difficult decision to make. The often quoted example is “will I be able to play with my kids” after a long rugby career, but what of the mental anguish of quitting too soon?

Winston Stanley, yes you might know his uncle Joe, and Eli Walker were forced to retire through injury. What could Christian Cullen have achieved if not injured?

I also have to mention the tragic story of All Black first-five Nicky Allen, who was the ultimate shooting star, after all this time someone I have not forgotten. A brilliant talent who may have been better than Dan Carter, but for injury which derailed such a promising career. Who knows what he could have achieved? Allen tragically died from a heavy tackle while playing rugby in Australia.

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Of course, the Australian who retired while on top was the inimitable Mark Ella. At the youthful age of 25 he stunned the rugby world by announcing his retirement after a career that highlighted his instinctive talents. I do not know the reason for retirement except what the rumour mill spreads, but Mark will know for sure. What if he had been more persistent and stuck at it? Or am I being a selfish sports fan?

A big name that I must mention who is definitely not a rugby player but a rather good tennis player is Bjorn Borg. One of my favourite tennis players whose battles with John McEnroe were legendary. But to retire at the age of 26? What were you thinking, Bjorn?

So, maybe it is none of our business when a player retires, then? We just want what is best for ourselves and watching our favourite rugby, cricket and tennis players is all we want. But if you are thinking of retiring, consider the careers of Tom Brady or James Anderson before making your decision.