Former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic said he was the “luckiest man” to have achieved his dream as he announced his retirement.
The 35-year-old Canadian beat Roger Federer to reach Wimbledon in 2016, but he lost in straight sets to Britain’s Andy Murray.
Raonic won eight tour-level titles, achieved a career-high world ranking of third that same year and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
“The time has come for me to retire from tennis,” Raonic posted on social media on Sunday.
“It’s one of those moments that you know one day is coming, but somehow you’re never ready for it. This is as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Tennis has been my love and obsession most of my life.”
Raonic is known for his powerful serve, which earned him the nickname “The Missile.” He played his final match at the 2024 Olympics, losing in the first round to Germany’s Dominik Kopfer.
“I’m the luckiest person to be able to live my dreams and live my dreams. I have to show up every day and focus on getting better and see where that takes me and play a game that I was completely blessed to be exposed to at the age of eight,” he added.
“Somehow it became my entire obsession and childhood, and then my career and life.”
Raonic was born in Titograd, Yugoslavia (now Podgorica, Montenegro) and moved to Canada when he was three years old. In 2011, he won his first ATP title at the Pacific Coast Championships.
“What’s next? I’m not slowing down. There’s more life to live and I’m just as motivated and hungry as I was in 2011 when I had my breakthrough tour. I’m going to put the same effort and intensity into what comes next,” he said.
