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Milos Raonic Announces Retirement from Professional Tennis

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Ilemona Onekutu | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 10:51 PM ET

Former world No. 3 Milos Raonic has announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than two decades and helped redefine Canadian tennis on the global stage.

In an emotional statement released on X formerly twitter, the 35-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, describing tennis as his “love and obsession” since childhood. Raonic revealed that while retirement is a moment every athlete knows will eventually arrive, it is never one they feel fully prepared for.

“This is as ready as I will ever be,” he wrote, reflecting on a journey that began almost by chance when he was introduced to the sport at the age of eight and later grew into a lifelong pursuit and profession.

Raonic expressed gratitude to fans around the world, thanking them for supporting him through both the brightest moments and the most challenging periods of his career. He also paid tribute to his coaches, support team, fellow players, and the governing bodies of the sport, acknowledging the sacrifices made and the opportunities afforded to him across the ATP Tour and Grand Slam tournaments.

Despite stepping away from competition, Raonic made it clear that retirement does not signal a slowing down. He said he intends to bring the same drive and commitment that defined his tennis career into the next chapter of his life.

Career Milestones

Raonic retires as one of the most accomplished players of his era and one of the most influential figures in Canadian tennis history. He reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 3 in November 2016, a peak that reflected his consistency at the highest level of the sport. His most notable Grand Slam achievement came at Wimbledon in 2016, where he became the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final. He also advanced to multiple Grand Slam semifinals, including deep runs at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

Across his career, Raonic captured eight ATP singles titles and established himself as one of the most dominant servers the game has seen, regularly leading the tour in aces and service games won. His powerful, efficient style made him a perennial threat on fast surfaces and a fixture in the latter stages of major tournaments. On the international stage, Raonic played a significant role in elevating Canada’s presence in men’s tennis, contributing to the program’s growth and helping lay the groundwork for the nation’s later Davis Cup success.

His retirement closes a defining chapter in Canadian tennis, but his influence—as a competitor, standard-bearer, and trailblazer will continue to be felt across the sport. There is a case to be made that Raonic is Canada’s best ever tennis player.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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