BREAKING: Angelique Kerber set to retire seven months into post-pregnancy return
07/25/2024 04:55 AM
Three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber has just announced that she will be retiring from pro tennis after the Paris Olympics.
Kerber, who turned 36 in January, took a break from pro tennis after 2022 Wimbledon because she was pregnant but her goal right from the start was to make a comeback. And at the start of this season, Kerber launched her post-pregnancy comeback and since then has appeared in all three Grand Slams this year.
But after losing the last five matches and currently being ranked at No. 217 in the world, Kerber has decided to cap off her career by representing Germany at the Olympics for one last time.
Angelique Kerber© Getty Images Sport - Clive Brunskill"The finish line. Before the @Olympics begin, I can already say that I will never forget #Paris2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player. And whereas this might actually be the right decision, it will never feel that way. Simply because I love the sport with all my heart and I’m thankful for the memories and opportunities it has given me," Kerber announced on Instagram.
View this post on InstagramKerber: This will mark the finish line of the most incredible journey...
For Kerber, this will be her third and final Olympic appearance. In the past, Kerber made the 2012 London quarterfinal in her Olympic debut before winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In her message, Kerber explained that the Olympics always came in a special time for her. And with that being said, she figured out that it would be fitting to end her tennis journey at the Olympics.
"And now: #Paris2024 will mark the finish line of the most incredible journey I could have ever dreamed of growing up with a racket in my hand. There are many more things I want to say and people to thank, which I will do once I completed my last match…but for now, I will take the time and soak up every second of this final episode on court. Thank you all for your support - it means the world to me," Kerber said.