Canadian tennis player Milos Raonic has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 35. In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, Raonic expressed his mixed emotions about the decision, saying, “This is a moment you know will come one day, but somehow you never feel ready for it. This is as ready as I will ever be.” Raonic’s career has been marked by significant achievements, including reaching the Wimbledon final in 2016, where he lost to Andy Murray in straight sets.
Raonic’s impressive journey in tennis also saw him advance to the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2014 and the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2016. Unfortunately, his last few years have been plagued by injuries, leading to his decision to retire. His final appearance on the professional circuit occurred during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was defeated in the first round by Dominik Koepfer of Germany. Raonic’s last victory came earlier that year at Queen’s, where he triumphed over home favourite Cameron Norrie.
Tributes from Fellow Players
In the wake of Raonic’s announcement, former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori took to social media to extend his congratulations. Nishikori wrote, “Congrats on an amazing career @milosraonic! We played some incredible matches that have a special memory in my heart. Good luck in this next chapter of your life.” The two players shared a memorable rivalry throughout their careers, with Nishikori leading their head-to-head record 5-2 in seven encounters.
Their first meeting occurred in the final of the Japan Open in 2012, where Nishikori emerged victorious in front of his home crowd. Raonic managed to secure his first win against Nishikori later that year at Wimbledon. However, Nishikori won their subsequent matches, including a fourth-round clash at the US Open and another Japan Open final. Raonic’s last win against Nishikori came in the 2015 Brisbane semifinal, but Nishikori clinched victory in their final matchup at the Davis Cup later that season.
As Raonic steps away from the sport, he leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and skill. His journey has inspired many, and the outpouring of support from fellow athletes underscores the impact he has had in the world of tennis.
