Former world number one and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber has announced she will hang up her tennis shoes after the Paris Olympics.
The 36-year-old made the announcement on Thursday in a lengthy post on social media, thanking everyone who has supported him throughout his career.
Kerber spent 34 weeks at the top of the world rankings and won 14 WTA singles titles during her dominant career.
She retired from court in 2022 and returned to the sport as a new mother in January 2024.
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“The finish line. Before the Olympics, I can already say that I will never forget Paris 2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player,” Kerber wrote.
“And while it may be a good decision, it will never be. Simply because I love the sport with all my heart and appreciate the memories and opportunities it has given me.
“The Olympic Games, in which I have always participated, are more than competitions because they represent the different chapters of my life as a tennis player: the rise, the peak … and now, the line arrival.
“The London 2012 Olympics came at a time when I had the tour. I steadily climbed the ranks and every win helped me overcome my doubts and strengthened my faith. It was all like a new beginning and the excitement took me to new heights. “
He talked about a dark period in his life when he almost thought about quitting 13 years ago.
“The year before, in 2011, I almost quit tennis and gave up on my childhood dream,” he continued.
“When I came to the Olympics in Rio 2016, I had just won my first Grand Slam title in Australia at the beginning of the year. My silver medal run was part of the emotional rush that led to my second Grand Slam title in New York and the top of the rankings.
“It hurt to go down the following year, but I learned my lesson and Wimbledon 2018 was the biggest reward for me.
“And now: Paris 2024 will mark the finish line of the most incredible journey that I have ever dreamed of growing up with a racket in my hand. There are many more things I want to say and thank people for, which I will do when I am done my last game…
“But for now I'm going to take my time and cover every second of this final episode of the trial. Thank you all for your support – it means the world to me.”
