Angelique Kerber Announces Retirement After Paris Olympics

Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber announced her retirement after the Paris Olympics. The 36-year-old German has won major titles except for the French Open. Her final tournament will be the Paris Games in 2024, where she'll face Naomi Osaka in the first round. Kerber celebrated her career journey and expressed gratitude for her experiences.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber announced Thursday that she will retire after the Paris Olympics.

The 36-year-old German player won majors at every tournament except for the French Open at Roland Garros. She will bid farewell to tennis after the Paris Games, facing Naomi Osaka in the first round.

“Before the Olympics begin, I can already say that I will never forget Paris 2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player,'' Kerber posted on Instagram. She expressed mixed feelings about the decision, citing her passion for the sport.

Kerber later confirmed her retirement when speaking briefly on stage after the Olympic tennis draw. Men's and women's first-round play begins Saturday.

Kerber won the Australian Open and the U.S. Open in 2016 — the year she reached No. 1 in the rankings and earned a silver medal at the Rio Games. She also won Wimbledon in 2018.

“Paris 2024 will mark the finish line of the most incredible journey I could have ever dreamed of growing up with a racket in my hand,” she said. Kerber mentioned her intent to express gratitude after her last match. International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty praised Kerber's “stellar career” and her contributions to the game.

“Her individual record speaks for itself and her 18 Billie Jean King Cup team nominations show just how priceless an asset she has been to Germany over the years,” Haggerty said. “She made her Olympic debut at London 2012, and I know winning silver at Rio 2016 was a dream come true for her. It's fitting that she will bring down the curtain on her career in Paris 2024.''