Abstract

 

Jonas Stier, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, Mälardalen University, Sweden

 

Albeit social roles, rites de passage and identity are common concerns among sociologists, studies of the unique role exit process of successful and famous male tennis players are rare – especially in Sweden. Drawing from both classical and contemporary sociological theory and qualitative interviews with eight former elite tennis players from Sweden, this study explores social psychological implications of pro-life and career withdrawal. A chronological as well as thematic analysis of the empirical material indicate that the identity implications of pro-life (e.g. manifested in fame, social status etc) are multidimensional and, at least temporarily, sources of strain. Such implications are described in terms of role-identity fusion, identity appropriation and role-identity-body fusion. Similarly, consequences of role exit are discussed as processes of disengagement, disidentification and loss. It is concluded that role-residual continues to be highly significant for the players current construction of identity.