In a move that has stunned the tennis world, former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic has announced his immediate retirement from the sport. The Canadian star, 35, confirmed the news just a week before the start of the Australian Open main draw, ending a career plagued by persistent injury.
A Career Cut Short by Injury
Raonic has not played a competitive match since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in 2024. This was the final setback in a series of physical problems, including persistent calf and leg issues, that dogged the latter stages of his time on tour. His final professional appearance was two years ago.
In a bid to remain competitive, Raonic resorted to drastic measures. Most notably, before Wimbledon in 2023, he lost three stone in just one month by adhering to an extreme diet of eating only a single steak per day. This highlighted the immense physical toll and sacrifice required to compete at the highest level.
A Legacy of Power and Precision
Milos Raonic leaves behind a significant legacy in Canadian sport. He remains the highest-ranked male player from his nation in ATP history, having soared to a career-high world No. 3 in November 2016. At that time, only Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic were ranked above him.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest servers of the Open era, Raonic's powerful game brought him eight ATP Tour titles. His finest hour came at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, where he reached the final only to be defeated by Andy Murray. That run to the final at the All England Club marked the pinnacle of his Grand Slam ambitions.
An Emotional and Grateful Farewell
The 35-year-old announced his decision via an emotional statement posted across his social media channels. "The time has come, I am retiring from tennis," Raonic wrote. "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. Tennis has been my love and obsession for most of my life."
In a lengthy and heartfelt message, he expressed profound gratitude to his fans, coaches, the tennis tours, and his colleagues. He paid special tribute to his family, who emigrated to Canada over three decades ago, for supporting his dream. "I dreamt of playing at your great tournaments, and I got to have those amazing experiences surrounded by great people, trying their best for the beautiful game of tennis," he said of the Grand Slams.
Looking ahead, Raonic insisted he would not be slowing down. "I am as motivated and hungry as I was in 2011, when I broke through on tour," he stated, promising to apply the same intensity to the next chapter of his life. His retirement marks the end of an era for Canadian tennis, closing the book on one of its most successful and influential players.
