OTTAWA, Ontario — Former world No. 3 and 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing a close to one of Canada’s most influential sporting careers.
In a heartfelt message on social media, the 35-year-old admitted that while every athlete knows this day will arrive, it’s never easy to face. “The time has come, I am retiring from tennis. This is a moment you know will come one day, but somehow you never feel ready for it… Tennis has been my love and obsession for most of my life,” Raonic wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Raonic’s journey from a childhood love of tennis — picked up at age eight — to becoming one of the sport’s fiercest competitors has been marked by powerful serving, grit, and historic moments. Nicknamed “Missile” for his booming serve, he climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world in 2016 — still the highest ever achieved by a Canadian male player.
That breakthrough year saw Raonic reach the Wimbledon final, where he fell to Andy Murray, and the Australian Open semifinals, solidifying his status among the game’s elite. Despite never capturing a Grand Slam title, he claimed eight ATP singles championships and more than $20 million in prize money over a 15-year pro career. (Source -espn )
Injuries, however, increasingly hampered his later years, and Raonic hadn’t competed in a professional match since a first-round loss at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Reflecting on his journey, Raonic added: “I have been the luckiest person to get to live out and fulfill my dreams… Somehow, this became my entire obsession and childhood, and then became my profession and life.”
As Canadian tennis pays tribute and fans around the world look back on a career defined by grit, power, and passion, the “Missile” heads into retirement with an enduring legacy and a grateful farewell.
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