Farewell to 2025: The Closing Chapter of the Tennis World

As the 2025 tennis calendar turns its final page, only the ATP Next Gen Finals remain in December. This long and thrilling season featured the powerful rise of rookies and triumphant championship moments, alongside heartfelt farewells from veteran players gracefully stepping away. Today, let us review the stars who retired this season and once again pay them our deepest respect.

Simona Halep

Highest singles ranking: No.1

Grand Slam titles: 2

Singles titles: 24

Career record: 580/243

Total prize money: $40,236,618

In February this year, Halep officially announced her retirement at the WTA250 event in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She claimed two Grand Slam titles at the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon, and held the world No. 1 spot for 64 weeks after first reaching the top in mid-2017. Toward the end of her career, Halep was embroiled in a doping controversy that sidelined her, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled she did not intentionally use banned substances, reducing her suspension from four years to nine months.

Petra Kvitova

Highest singles ranking: No.2

Grand Slam titles: 2

Singles titles: 31

Career record: 634/296

Total prize money: $37,653,615

Kvitova returned to the court in February after maternity leave, securing her first win back at the WTA1000 Rome event in May. After farewell matches at Wimbledon and the US Open, she officially retired. Kvitova won Wimbledon singles titles in 2011 and 2014, becoming the first Grand Slam singles champion born in the 1990s. Her close friendship with Chinese star Li Na earned her the affectionate nickname "China’s daughter" among Chinese fans.

Caroline Garcia

Highest singles ranking: No.4

Singles titles: 11

Career record: 472/365

Total prize money: $18,778,616

French star Garcia concluded her professional career at this year’s US Open. The 2022 season was her most successful, highlighted by a Cincinnati title and her first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open. She then won her most significant career title at the WTA Finals, finishing the year ranked a career-high No. 4.

Eugenie Bouchard

Highest singles ranking: No.5

Singles titles: 1

Career record: 300/230

Total prize money: $6,940,637

Bouchard played her final professional match in her hometown of Montreal. In 2014, at just 20 years old, she reached back-to-back semifinals at the Australian and French Opens and advanced to the Wimbledon final. A concussion caused by a fall in the locker room at the 2015 US Open marked a turning point in her career. In 2024, she transitioned to professional pickleball, debuting on the PPA Tour.

Richard Gasquet

Highest singles ranking: No.7

Singles titles: 16

Career record: 610/408

Total prize money: $21,490,622

Gasquet announced his retirement after the French Open this year. As a former French No. 1, he was one of the most iconic one-handed backhand players in men's tennis. The French Open organizers held a farewell ceremony honoring his illustrious career. Gasquet was runner-up at the Hamburg Masters in 2005 and Toronto Masters in 2006, and reached the Toronto Masters final again in 2012.

Fernando Verdasco

Highest singles ranking: No.7

Singles titles: 7

Career record: 559/447

Total prize money: $18,368,908

At 41, Spanish veteran Verdasco played his final professional match this year at the ATP 500 Doha event, partnering with Djokovic in doubles. He expressed gratitude to Djokovic for sharing this farewell moment. Verdasco was one of the most consistent players during the era of the "Big Four," with his career highlight being runner-up at the 2010 Monte Carlo Masters.

Diego Schwartzman

Highest singles ranking: No.8

Singles titles: 4

Career record: 251/226

Total prize money: $14,399,360

Known as the "Strongest No.170," Schwartzman retired after competing at the ATP250 Buenos Aires event. In his farewell letter, he expressed deep emotions. His career best was reaching the semifinals of the 2020 French Open, along with two US Open quarterfinal appearances in 2017 and 2019.

Fabio Fognini

Highest singles ranking: No.9

Singles titles: 9

Career record: 426/396

Total prize money: $19,086,549

Fognini pushed defending champion Alcaraz to the limit in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon’s first round, ultimately losing. This marked the final chapter of his 23-year career. As Italy’s former leading male player, Fognini had an impressive record, including winning the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters and reaching the French Open quarterfinals in 2011. He has been in a long-term relationship with Grand Slam champion Pennetta, and together they have three children.

The cycle of old and new continues in tennis, with skilled players like Mahu, Ramos, Cachin, Davis, and Wickmayer also stepping away from competition this year. Let us wish them all the best as they embark on the next exciting chapters of their lives, continuing to shine!

Image: Visual China Group