ATP Tour 2020: Players who have retired this year
Follow Us
The 2020 tennis season was extraordinary under all circumstances. While the coronavirus pandemic halted the season for three months from March-June, tennis fans were treated to four months of non-stop tennis starting from July and ending with the Nitto ATP Finals in November. However, to make the year even worse, some of the players on ATP tour decided to call it a day and retire from tennis.
In this article, we will have a look at the singles/doubles players who have announced their retirement from tennis in 2020.
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, undoubtedly one of the greatest doubles team in tennis history announced their retirement from tennis on August 26. The American brothers made their debut in 1997 and in a career spanning over two decades, they conquered almost everything there is to in tennis.
The Bryan Brothers have won an incredible 1,108 tour level matches together and have a record of 119 titles together. The duo have won 16 Grandslam titles together, all nine Masters events, the Nitto ATP Finals. The American duo also won the Olympic Gold Medal at the London Olympics, 2012.
The duo made their final appearance at the Delray Beach Open, earlier in February this year. Rather fittingly, they claimed a tournament record sixth doubles crown.
“We’re most proud of the way we devoted ourselves completely to the game and gave our full effort every day,” said Bob Bryan. “Our loyalty toward each other never wavered and we are leaving professional tennis with zero regrets. We’ll miss the competition and camaraderie amongst the players. We’ll also miss the excitement of gearing up for a big match and playing for the roar of the fans,” he added.
“We feel it’s the right time to walk away,” said Mike Bryan. “We’ve given over 20 years to the tour, and we are now looking forward to the next chapter of our lives. With that said, we feel very blessed to have been able to play the game of doubles for so long. We are grateful to have had the opportunities in the beginning of the year to play and say our goodbyes to the fans. Winning our final event in Delray Beach and clinching the Davis Cup tie in Honolulu are moments we’ll forever remember and cherish,” he added.
Santiago Giraldo
In a career spanning over 16 years, Santiago Giraldo claimed 168 tour-level wins and rose to a career-high ATP ranking of 28 in September, 2014. The Colombian also captured ten Challenger event titles.
Giraldo who announced his retirement on October 6, finished the season in top 100 rankings for seven consecutive seasons from 2010-2016. The Colombian also earned two top-ten victories in his career. He defeated former world number one, Lleyton Hewitt, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Andy Murray to reach the Mutua Madrid Open quarterfinal in 2014.
“I started at 15 and now, at almost 33, I’ve decided to say thank you and put a full stop at the end of this journey,” said Giraldo. “I did the best I could, and I gave everything I had. I remember that curious, unique, explorative and rebellious boy who left his home at just 12 years of age, carrying only his racquets and his dreams, until he arrived here today. I don’t regret anything I did,” he added.
Steve Darcis
Steve Darcis, the Belgian announced his retirement from tennis on January 15. He had a career high ranking of 38. Darcis entered the 2007 Amersfoort in search of his first tour level victory. The Belgian won eight consecutive matches, which includes three qualifying round victories to capture his maiden ATP Title.
Steve Darcis will be remembered for defeating Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon 2013 in the first round on Centre Court. Ranked 135 in the world at that time, he was the lowest ranked player to defeat Rafael Nadal at any Grandslam event.
“I made a successful comeback in 2019, but after Wimbledon, I got problems again with my shoulder. Mentally and physically, I’m no longer at my best,” said Darcis in October 2019. “Plenty of strong career moments will stay with me forever,” he added.
Stay Updated!
Nirmit Mehta
(2425 Articles Published)