Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania’s Greatest Player, Retires from Tennis

Ricardas Berankis began making headlines as an elite junior player who reached world #1 in the ITF Junior rankings. The winner of the 2007 US Open junior final over Jerzy Janowicz, he was one of the most hyped players of his generation. While his career never again reached that elite level, the Lithuanian carved out a career that featured consistency and some memorable moments before announcing his retirement this December.

Berankis The Junior Star

The tennis world was waiting for Berankis to turn pro after he won the US Open Junior title, and the Orange Bowl among other top junior tournaments where he was a semifinalist or better. Other players who achieved junior #1 include current top next gen star Joao Fonseca, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Gael Monfils.

With that said, the ranking isn’t a guarantee of professional success. From 2005 to 2012, not a single #1 junior ever reached the ATP top 20, and Berankis, with a career high ranking of #50 achieved better results than his immediate peers like Thiemo de Bakker, Yang Tsung-hua, Daniel Berta and Juan Sebastian Gomez.

Berankis The Davis Cup Leader

Berankis proudest achievement was his leadership of Lithuania in Davis Cup Competition. Beginning as a teenager in 2007, Berankis played in 29 Davis Cup ties, compiling an impressive 36-9 record in singles and 45-17 overall across singles and doubles. Berankis consistently suited up for his nation year after year, compiling a 15 year track record of excellence despite limited support from his teammates. Only Rolandas Muraska had a better resume for Lithuania in Davis Cup. In 2010, Berankis upset Dan Evans and Great Britain in the Davis Cup.

Berankis in Grand Slams

Berankis reached his first ever Grand Slam main draw in 2010, where he managed to reach the second round as a qualifier at both Wimbledon and the US Open. He thrived on fast surfaces, but ultimately his lack of size and stature on the court limited his power and ability to win matches against the best.

At the 2010 US Open he suffered a narrow loss to Jurgen Melzer. in 2013 Berankis fell to Andy Murray in straight sets in the third round of the Australian Open as a qualifier. In 2015, he lost a five setter against Marin Cilic in Wimbledon’s second round, and suffered a similar five set defeat to David Goffin, another undersized player, in the second round of the 2015 US Open.

It’s rather fitting that Berankis last Grand Slam main draw took place against one of the greatest players of his era, Rafael Nadal needed four sets to defeat him at Wimbledon in 2022 in the second round.