Angelique Kerber’s decorated tennis career came to an end in dramatic fashion in the quarterfinals at the Olympics in Paris.
Kerber fell 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6), to No. 6 seed Zheng Qinwen of China on Wednesday. Kerber fought off three match points in the final-set tiebreaker before Zheng secured the victory.
Keber, 36, announced earlier this month that she would be retiring after the tournament.
The former world No. 1 from Germany is a three-time major champion, winning the 2016 Australian Open, 2016 U.S. Open and 2018 Wimbledon. 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 following the birth of her first child.
Kerber defeated Naomi Osaka, Jaqueline Cristian and Leylah Fernandez on her path to the quarterfinals in Paris.
German tennis player Angelique Kerber has announced her retirement from professional tennis following her quarterfinal defeat at the Tokyo Olympics. The 33-year-old, who is a former world number one and three-time Grand Slam champion, made the announcement in a heartfelt statement on social media.
Kerber, who has been a mainstay on the WTA Tour for over a decade, cited a desire to spend more time with her family and pursue other interests outside of tennis as reasons for her decision to retire. She expressed gratitude for the support of her fans and the opportunities that the sport has provided her throughout her career.
The announcement comes after Kerber’s disappointing loss to Czech player Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals of the Olympics. Despite putting up a valiant effort, Kerber was unable to overcome her opponent and fell short of advancing to the semifinals.
Throughout her career, Kerber has been known for her tenacity and fighting spirit on the court. She burst onto the scene in 2016 when she won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, followed by victories at the US Open and Wimbledon later that year. She also reached the finals of the French Open in 2016, solidifying her status as one of the top players in women’s tennis.
Kerber’s retirement marks the end of an era in women’s tennis, as she leaves behind a legacy of success and sportsmanship. Her presence on the tour will be greatly missed, but fans can take solace in the memories of her thrilling matches and incredible achievements.
As Kerber embarks on this new chapter in her life, she leaves behind a lasting impact on the sport of tennis and serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world. Her dedication, hard work, and passion for the game will continue to be remembered and celebrated for years to come.