One of the most versatile players in tennis will call it a career after the Paris Olympics.
Germany’s Angelique Kerber announced Thursday she will retire after playing singles and doubles at Roland Garros.
The 36-year-old Kerber is the only active WTA player to win singles titles at three of the four Grand Slams — the 2016 Australian Open, 2016 U.S. Open and 2018 Wimbledon. She twice reached the quarterfinals at the French Open, played on the same courts as the Olympics.
Kerber won 14 overall titles and spent 34 weeks as the world No. 1 player. She returned to the tour this year after being off for a year and a half.
“The Olympics, I’ve participated in so far, have been more than just competitions as they represent different chapters of my life as a tennis player: the climb, the peak… and now, the finish line,” Kerber wrote on Instagram.
Kerber will face Japan’s Naomi Osaka in a marquee first-round match in Paris.
Meanwhile, Great Britain great Andy Murray announced he is withdrawing from the Olympic singles competition to focus strictly on doubles with Dan Evans.
Murray, who has been dealing with a back injury, already has confirmed he will retire after the Olympics.
After a successful career that saw her reach the pinnacle of women’s tennis, Angelique Kerber has announced her retirement following the Tokyo Olympics. The German star, who won three Grand Slam titles and reached the world No. 1 ranking in 2016, made the announcement after a disappointing performance at the Games.
Kerber, 33, had high hopes for the Olympics but was unable to advance past the second round in singles competition. She also competed in mixed doubles with partner Kevin Krawietz, but they were eliminated in the first round.
In a statement released on social media, Kerber thanked her fans for their support throughout her career and expressed gratitude for the opportunities she had to compete at the highest level of the sport. She also hinted at future endeavors, saying she is excited for what lies ahead.
Meanwhile, former world No. 1 Andy Murray has been sidelined from singles competition at the Olympics due to a quad injury. The British star, who has battled numerous injuries in recent years, was forced to withdraw from the singles event but is still scheduled to compete in doubles with partner Joe Salisbury.
Murray, 34, had been hoping to add another Olympic medal to his collection after winning gold in singles at the 2012 London Games and silver in mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio Games. However, his injury will prevent him from pursuing that goal in Tokyo.
Despite these setbacks, both Kerber and Murray have left an indelible mark on the sport of tennis and will be remembered for their achievements on and off the court. Their retirements and injuries serve as a reminder of the physical toll that professional athletes endure in pursuit of greatness.