Milos Raonic, the towering Canadian tennis star and former world No. 3, has officially retired from professional tennis at the age of 35. His 18-year career made him one of Canada’s most important athletes and one of the sport’s most feared servers.
Raonic posted a heartfelt message on social media confirming that “the time has come” to leave competitive tennis. He reflected on a journey that began in childhood and led him to the top of the sport.
Raonic wrote on social media: “The time has come, I am retiring from tennis. This is a moment you know will come one day, but somehow you never feel ready for it. This is as ready as I will ever be. Tennis has been my love and obsession for most of my life.”
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He said that tennis had been his “love and obsession” and thanked the chance to follow his dream, which started when he was a child with a racket in hand and grew into an amazing professional career. He also said that he won’t be slowing down following his retirement and wants to explore other options in life.
Milos Raonic’s last competitive tennis match was at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he played for Canada but lost in the first round.
A Great Career
Raonic was born in what was then Yugoslavia and grew up in Thornhill, Ontario. He started playing tennis when he was 8 years old and quickly became a great player. As time went on, his strong serve and aggressive baseline game made him a tough opponent on any surface.
Raonic turned pro in 2008 and steadily moved up the rankings. By 2016, the year he reached his peak, he had broken many records for Canadian tennis players. When he made it to the Wimbledon final, he became the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open Era. He beat legends along the way, which cemented his status as a top player.
Career Highlights and Accomplishments
Milos Raonic won eight ATP singles titles during his career. This is an amazing accomplishment that shows how consistent and competitive he was on the world stage.
His best year was 2016, when he:
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Reach the Wimbledon final, where he ultimately fell to Andy Murray.
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Reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, another historic feat.
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Qualify for the ATP Finals and finish the year with a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world, the highest ever by a Canadian male tennis player at the time.
These achievements were not only personal victories for Raonic, but they also helped make Canadian tennis more well-known around the world.
A Memorable Serve
Raonic’s serve was one of the most important parts of his game. He was 6’5″ tall and hit aces with amazing regularity, which earned him the nickname “Missile” and respect from other players on the ATP Tour.
In fact, Raonic ended his career with 8,445 aces, which put him ninth on the all-time list. This shows how powerful and accurate he was. He also has the record for the most aces in a best-of-three set match, with 47 at Queen’s Club in 2024.
Fighting Injuries Along the Way
Despite his talent, Raonic’s career was often marked by physical setbacks. After he made a name for himself in 2016, injuries to his hip, knee, shoulder, and back kept getting in the way of his progress and made it hard for him to stay at the top of the game for long periods of time.
Raonic’s last few years were especially hard because of persistent issues that kept him from competing in many events and ultimately led to his decision to retire. He tried hard to bounce back, but his body just couldn’t handle the demands of professional tennis.
Tributes Pour In
When Raonic announced his retirement, tributes poured in from all over the tennis world. Both former rivals and current stars agreed that he had a big effect on the sport.
One of Raonic’s toughest opponents over the years, Novak Djokovic, used social media to praise him for his “amazing career.”
Félix Auger-Aliassime, a fellow Canadian, called Raonic “the greatest Canadian ever to do it” and thanked him for being a mentor and helping tennis in Canada.
Other well-known people, like tennis player Bianca Andreescu and sports figure Steve Nash, also sent messages praising Raonic’s professionalism, influence, and the inspiration he gave to so many.
Impact and Legacy
Milos Raonic’s legacy goes far beyond his titles and rankings. As the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam final and a consistent presence in the top ranks of professional tennis, he helped redefine what was possible for Canadian players on the global stage.
Tennis Canada called Raonic a “true ambassador” of the sport and praised his career achievements and the high standards he set for future players.
“Milos [Raonic] is quite simply one of the greatest athletes this country has ever seen. What he has accomplished in our sport and his resilience throughout his career have redefined expectations for Canadians. I remember his run at Wimbledon in 2016 as if it were yesterday – the excitement across the country was undeniable and it changed the way people viewed our sport in Canada.” Gavin Ziv, Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Canada said.
“His legacy goes beyond his titles and rankings, as he changed the landscape of tennis in Canada, and his influence on Canadian players and programs will be felt for many years to come.” He continued.
Raonic is tied with fellow Canadian Sébastien Lareau for the most singles wins in Davis Cup history with 17. This solidified his place in his country’s sports history.
Reflection From the Court
Both players and analysts have thought about what Milos Raonic has done for tennis. His powerful serve, fierce competitive spirit, and ability to bounce back from injuries made him a memorable person not only in Canada but also around the world.
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Fans on social media talked about how Raonic’s absence from the tour had already felt like a slow retirement in recent years because injuries kept him from playing, but the official announcement still brought a wave of emotion.
One Reddit thread celebrating his career focused on his record-setting serve and his place among the best servers of all time. Fans were happy for him and wished him a happy life after tennis.
What Will Raonic Do Next?
Raonic has stopped playing professionally, but he has said that he doesn’t plan to slow down in life outside of tennis. He said in his announcement that he still wants challenges and opportunities, which makes it sound like the next chapter of his life will be just as meaningful as his tennis career.
Raonic’s competitive spirit and discipline will help him in whatever he does next, whether it’s coaching, mentoring, starting a business, or pursuing new personal interests.
A Goodbye Fit for a Champion
In conclusion, Milos Raonic’s retirement marks the end of an era for Canadian tennis and the professional game. Raonic’s journey was full of passion, hard work, and amazing accomplishments, from his breakout performances to his record-setting serves. His legacy will live on long after his last match.
Fans all over the world can remember the exciting moments and important events that made Milos Raonic’s career so memorable as the tennis world says goodbye to one of its most unique players.
