So long and farewell: The year's most notable player retirements
The Bryan brothers, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and all the pro players who hung up their racquets this season.
In December of 2019, Caroline Wozniacki announced that she would retire following the 2020 Australian Open, the tournament where she captured her lone Grand Slam in 2018. Two months later, fellow former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova stunned the tennis community when she revealed her retirement on February 26 effective immediately. They both would soon be joined by a slew of players, including Bob and Mike Bryan. Here are the ATP and WTA players who hung their racquets in 2020 (Getty Images).
The Dane finally shed the unflattering “Slamless No. 1” tag when she emerged victorious in the 2018 Australian Open final over Simona Halep, who was also seeking her first major. During her time on the tour, Wozniacki—who turned pro in 2005—snagged 632 wins, 30 titles and pocketed over $35 million in prize money.
The former world No. 8 and three-time singles titlist reached semifinals of the 2014 US Open and the 2015 Australian Open. On the doubles front, she won three titles at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open with frequent partner Elena Vesnina.
Dubbed the ultimate competitor by many, the Russian’s mental toughness earned her 36 trophies, including all four Grand Slams (she won Roland Garros twice). She first reached No. 1 in 2005 and won nearly $39 million in prize money.
The American won 15 doubles titles, including Wimbledon and the US Open—both in 2010—with Yaroslava Shvedova. King also reached the final of the 2009 Roland Garros mixed doubles with Marcelo Melo, losing to Victoria Azarenka and Bob Bryan.
The Bryan brothers are the most successful doubles players in ATP history. As a tandem, the 42-year-old twins won an astounding Open record 119 titles, including 16 majors, 39 ATP Masters 1000s, four ATP Finals and an Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games.
The Colombian reached a career-high of No. 28 in 2014, 10 years after turning pro. With 168 wins during the course of his career, Giraldo reached two ATP Tour clay-court finals in Vina del Mar (2011) and Barcelona (2014).
A former world No. 9, Goerges won her maiden career WTA title in Bad Gastein in 2010. She would add six more titles to her trophy cabinet.
Steve Darcis, January 15
Jessica Moore, January 28
Johanna Larsson, February 28
Rika Fujiwara, March 3
Anna Tatishvili, March 26
Silvia Soler-Espinosa, May 15
Jamie Hampton, May 19
Teliana Pereira, September 29
Pauline Parmentier, October 1
Magdalena Rybarikova, October 29