Who is Retiring from Tennis in 2022?
The world of professional tennis is ever-changing, with a number of players retiring each season. As we move into 2022, we can expect to see several top players hang up their racquets for good. Here we take a look at who is retiring from tennis in 2022.
Andy Murray
The three-time Grand Slam champion, Andy Murray, is expected to retire at the end of the 2021 season. Murray has had a difficult few years due to various injuries, and he has stated that he would like to end his career on a high note. Murray is one of the most decorated players in the game, having won two Olympic gold medals and the Davis Cup. He has been a consistent presence on the ATP Tour for over a decade and will be sorely missed by fans of the game.
Rafael Nadal
The world number one, Rafael Nadal, is another player who is set to call time on his career in 2022. The Spaniard has been at the top of the rankings for much of the past decade, winning an incredible 19 Grand Slam titles. Despite his incredible achievements, Nadal has expressed his desire to retire in order to focus on his family life.
Roger Federer
The most successful player in the history of the sport, Roger Federer, is also set to retire in 2022. Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles and has held the world number one ranking for a record 310 weeks. Despite his age, Federer has had an incredibly successful 2021 season, winning the Australian Open and reaching the semi-finals of the French Open. Federer has stated that he plans to retire after the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, and he will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Other Players Retiring in 2022
As well as the big three, there are several other players who are set to retire in 2022. These include:
- David Ferrer – the former world number three, who has won 26 ATP titles during his career.
- Tommy Haas – the German veteran, who has been a regular presence on the tour since the late 1990s.
- Radek Stepanek – the Czech veteran, who was a regular presence on the tour for over a decade.
- Gael Monfils – the French player, who has won 11 ATP titles during his career.
- Marin Cilic – the Croatian player, who won the US Open in 2014.
- Feliciano Lopez – the Spanish player, who has been a regular presence on the tour for over a decade.
Impact of Retirements on the ATP Tour
The retirements of the big three will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the ATP Tour. With Murray, Nadal, and Federer all leaving the tour at the same time, it will create a major void at the top of the rankings. This could open up the competition for the younger players, who will be looking to make their mark in the coming years.
Rise of the Next Generation
The retirement of the big three will also open the door for the younger generation of players to rise to the top of the rankings. Players such as Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, and Alexander Zverev have already made significant strides in their respective careers and are expected to become the new faces of the game.
Women’s Retirement in 2022
In addition to the male players retiring, there are also several women who are expected to call time on their careers in 2022. These include the veteran players such as Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters, as well as the younger players such as Madison Keys and Alize Cornet.
Impact of Women’s Retirement
The retirement of the veteran women’s players will open up the competition for the younger players. This could be a great opportunity for the younger generation to make their mark and establish themselves as the new faces of women’s tennis.
Conclusion
As we move into 2022, we can expect to see an exodus of some of the greatest players to have ever graced the sport. While it is sad to see them go, it also provides an opportunity for the next generation of players to make their mark. We can only wait and see who will emerge as the new faces of tennis in the coming years.