List of tennis players who retired in 2022
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Serena Williams, Ashleigh Barty, Roger Federer
The last few years have been a see-saw ride for tennis fans all over the world. In 2020, when the Covid pandemic brought the whole world to a standstill, tennis was also affected. The lockdowns interrupted the events’ calendar, forced players into isolation, and confused everyone associated with the sport.
In an unprecedented move, the Wimbledon Championships was canceled for the first time since World War II. That Wimbledon had taken pandemic insurance saved it. No losses were incurred by the All England Lawn Tennis Club. On the contrary, they even gave away “prize money.” Many other tennis bodies’ resources plummeted due to uncertainties. And who can forget the infamous drama around the detention and deportation of Novak Djokovic during the Australian Open in 2022?
As the threat of the pandemic subsided, fans in 2022 expected a restoration of the full tennis season without any hiccups. It was achieved to some extent. But 2022 also saw some of the greatest players saying goodbye to the sport which made the outgoing year’s memory somewhat bittersweet.
Players who bid adieu to the game in 2022
Roger Federer
The Swiss maestro Roger Federer played his last match in the Laver Cup in September. The image of Federer crying with his greatest on-court rival and best friend Rafael Nadal brought tears to every fan’s eyes. In his magnificent career, Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles, the first player to do so, and stayed at the peak of the rankings for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks.
Serena Williams
American tennis legend Serena Williams announced her retirement after her US Open exit, saying that she was ‘evolving away’ from tennis. She was one of the most dominating players of the 21st century. Her record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles is the most by any player in the Open Era, and the second-most of all time.
Ashleigh Barty
Among all the retirements, Ashleigh Barty’s retirement was the most unexpected. In March the 26-year-old surprised everyone with her decision citing the lack of ‘physical drive, the emotional want’.
Barty was one of the most dominating in the women’s circuit in the last couple of years. She won three Grand Slam singles titles and the 2022 Australian Open win was the most special for her.
Juan Martin del Potro
The Argentine star stepped away from tennis after his first-round defeat to Federico Delbonis at the Argentina Open. The former World No 3 won the 2009 US Open title and led his team to the Davis Cup title in 2016. Other career highlights include reaching the 2018 US Open final, winning an Olympic bronze medal in men’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics, and a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Jo Wilfred Tsonga
The French professional player was highest ranked, fifth in his career. He bid farewell to the game after his first-round defeat against Casper Ruud at the French Open. Reaching the final of the 2008 Australian Open was his most important achievement.
Andrea Petkovic
Yugoslavia-born German player Andrea Petkovic reached her career-high ranking of No. 9 on 10 October 2011, becoming the first German female player ranked inside the top 10 since Steffi Graf in 1999. Petkovic has won seven WTA Tour singles titles and one doubles title, as well as nine ITF singles and three ITF doubles titles.
Giles Simon
French professional tennis player, Giles Simon brought curtains down on his two-decade-long career at the 2022 Paris Masters. In his career, he reached a career high six in rankings. The Frenchman appeared in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Wimbledon and the 2009 Australian Open.
Kevin Anderson
The South African player reached two Grand Slam finals at the 2017 US Open and 2018 Wimbledon. He was the first South African to be ranked in the top 5 since Kevin Curren’s feat of 1985. Defeating Roger Federer in the 2018 Wimbledon was his career’s most famous win.
Tommy Robredo
The Spanish player turned pro way back in 1998. In a career spanning more than two decades won multiple titles and was ranked world No 5 which he achieved in August 2008.
Sam Querrey
The 35-year-old Sam Querrey reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 11 achieved on February 2018. The American player won ten ATP singles titles. He has reached the semifinals of the Davis Cup three times with the United States team.
Related: WATCH: Frances Tiafoe gets stood up for a clap by Taylor Fritz and pat the latter on his head
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Abhinavendu Singh
(290 Articles Published)