The tennis world is in a state of emotional upheaval as 2025 ushers in a series of heartfelt farewells from some of the sport's most enduring figures. But here's where it gets really intriguing: these retirements aren't just about the end of careers—they're reminders of how passion, grit, and a bit of defiance against the odds can redefine what it means to succeed on the court. If you've ever wondered what it takes to rise from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of professional tennis, this 'Best Of' look at retirements will hook you from the start. And this is the part most people miss: behind the stats and trophies, these stories reveal the human side of the game, proving that sometimes, the biggest wins happen off the court.
As we wrap up another exhilarating year on the ATP Tour, ATPTour.com is excited to launch our annual 'Best Of' series (https://www.atptour.com/en/news/news-filter-results/best-of-2025), spotlighting the year's most compelling rivalries, standout matches, dramatic comebacks, shocking upsets, and yes, these poignant retirements. Leading off Part 1 are Diego Schwartzman (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/diego-schwartzman/sm37/overview) and Fernando Verdasco (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fernando-verdasco/v306/overview), with Richard Gasquet (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/richard-gasquet/g628/overview) and Fabio Fognini (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fabio-fognini/f510/overview) set to shine in Part 2. To help newcomers grasp the ATP Tour, think of it as the premier circuit for men's professional tennis, where players compete in events ranging from small tournaments to Grand Slams, earning points toward world rankings—it's the ultimate proving ground for skill and stamina.
Diego Schwartzman (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/diego-schwartzman/sm37/overview)
Schwartzman will forever be etched in ATP Tour history not only for his remarkable accomplishments but for embodying the spirit of perseverance. Despite standing just 5 feet 7 inches tall—a height that coaches and skeptics once claimed would be his downfall—he defied expectations through sheer dedication, fiery enthusiasm, and an innate competitive edge. This Argentine powerhouse climbed to a career-best No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings and secured four ATP Tour singles championships. For beginners curious about tennis rankings, they're like a global leaderboard where the top 100 or so players battle for supremacy, influencing everything from tournament invites to sponsorships.
In a personal reflection shared in an essay, Schwartzman shared, 'I love it when folks tell me, “You were a battler, but you were also a fantastic tennis player.” Being just a battler won't get you to the sport's summit. You need solid technique: a strong forehand, a reliable serve, and agile footwork. Pure grit alone doesn't cut it. I reached those heights because I excelled at tennis. No one handed me anything; I worked for it. As a kid, I never dreamed I'd achieve this, but throughout my journey, I proved I belonged.'
His streak included playing in 36 straight Grand Slams, kicking off at Roland Garros (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/roland-garros/520/overview) in 2014, and appearing in the main draws of 52 consecutive ATP Masters 1000 tournaments over more than seven years. These Masters events are prestigious step-up from regular tour stops, often held in major cities and offering huge prize money—perfect for building momentum. His pinnacle at a major was that clay-court semifinal at the French Open in 2020. At 33, he bid farewell on his home turf during the Buenos Aires ATP 250 event in February, a fitting close to a career that challenged stereotypes.
But here's where it gets controversial: Was Schwartzman's success a blow to the idea that physical attributes like height dictate tennis destiny? Some argue it proves talent trumps size, while others say modern equipment and coaching have leveled the playing field. What do you think—does this change how we view potential in sports?
Fernando Verdasco (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fernando-verdasco/v306/overview)
Having wrapped up his singles career in 2023, Fernando Verdasco (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fernando-verdasco/v306/overview) made a grand encore in February at the Qatar Open in Doha, partnering with Novak Djokovic (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/novak-djokovic/d643/overview) for one last doubles outing. Over a career spanning more than two decades, this Spaniard claimed seven ATP Tour singles titles, including victories on home soil in Valencia (2004) and Barcelona (2010). He hit his peak at No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings and racked up over 500 tour-level victories (559), showcasing incredible durability. Verdasco also played a key role in Spain's three Davis Cup triumphs (2008, 2009, and 2011), delivering the decisive point in the 2009 final against Argentina.
Reflecting on his highlights, Verdasco noted, 'The Davis Cup wins for my nation stand out most. Among them, the 2009 victory in Argentina is extra special—I clinched the fourth point in the final against Acasuso, securing the title for Spain.' Known for rising to the challenge in high-stakes moments, his semifinal run at the 2009 Australian Open (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/australian-open/580/overview) is legendary. The left-handed star defeated Radek Stepanek (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/radek-stepanek/s694/overview), Andy Murray (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/andy-murray/mc10/overview), and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/jo-wilfried-tsonga/t786/overview) on his way to the final four, where he engaged in an epic five-hour, 14-minute clash with Rafael Nadal (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rafael-nadal/n409/overview)—a match often hailed as one of tennis's greatest ever.
Verdasco also thrived in doubles, capping his career in that discipline alongside Djokovic. He bagged eight doubles titles, notably the 2013 Nitto ATP Finals (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/nitto-atp-finals/605/overview) with David Marrero (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/david-marrero/m984/overview), and reached No. 8 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings. And this is the part most people miss: his transition from singles glory to doubles swan song highlights how players can reinvent themselves, adding layers to their legacies.
Christopher Eubanks (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/christopher-eubanks/e865/overview)
The American sensation grabbed global attention in 2023 with his explosive style of 'big-man tennis,' advancing to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/wimbledon/540/overview). Right after clinching his maiden ATP Tour title in Mallorca that June, Eubanks stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/stefanos-tsitsipas/te51/overview) to reach the last eight in London. Yet, sustaining that momentum proved tough in the following years, leading him to announce his retirement in November.
In a touching social media post, Eubanks reminisced, 'If you'd told that boy from Atlanta's Southside he'd pull off all this, he wouldn't have bought it. Two-time ACC Player of the Year? Nah. Wimbledon quarterfinalist? Unlikely. Olympian? Impossible. Tennis took me around the globe, building lifelong bonds while chasing my dream. Words can't capture my gratitude. Is this really the finish line? Hard to say, but if so, what a wild adventure!' Eubanks debuted on the tour in Atlanta in 2015 and soared to a career-high No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings by 2023.
Nicolas Mahut (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/nicolas-mahut/m873/overview)
Over 25 seasons on the ATP Tour, Nicolas Mahut (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/nicolas-mahut/m873/overview) built an enviable legacy. The Frenchman amassed 37 tour-level doubles titles, including two Nitto ATP Finals (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/nitto-atp-finals/605/overview) championships and five Grand Slam wins with partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/pierre-hugues-herbert/h996/overview). He topped the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings at No. 1 and contributed to France's Davis Cup victory.
In singles, he secured four titles but is iconic for the 2010 Wimbledon (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/wimbledon/540/overview) marathon against John Isner (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/john-isner/i186/overview)—a three-day ordeal lasting 11 hours and five minutes, with the American prevailing 70-68 in the final set. Mahut, who triumphed at Wimbledon in 2016, reflected to ATPTour.com in October, 'I've forever linked my name to Wimbledon, the sport's most revered event. Walking the grounds this year with my son, who saw his surname too, filled me with pride—there's no greater honor.'
Denis Kudla (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/denis-kudla/kb09/overview)
Sixteen years into his professional journey, which began at 16, Denis Kudla (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/denis-kudla/kb09/overview) retired amid a sea of fellow Americans at the United Cup (https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/archive/perth-sydney/9900/2025/results) in January. The 33-year-old played a pivotal role in the U.S. team's victory at this mixed-team competition, teaming up with Desirae Krawczyk for a crucial win over the Czech Republic.
'It was intensely moving last night. I shed tears more than once—I'm not usually emotional. I expected just to play and participate, but it became a magical moment. I never imagined retiring in a packed stadium, representing my country, which means the world to me,' Kudla shared post-match. Born in Kyiv, he achieved a career-high No. 53 in the PIF ATP Rankings, faced off against tennis giants like Novak Djokovic (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/novak-djokovic/d643/overview), Rafael Nadal (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rafael-nadal/n409/overview), Roger Federer (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/roger-federon/federer/f324/overview), and Andy Murray (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/andy-murray/mc10/overview), and won nine ATP Challenger Tour titles. Challenger events are like the minor leagues of tennis, grooming players for the big stage.
Vasek Pospisil (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/vasek-pospisil/pd07/overview)
Pospisil concluded his journey at home during the Toronto ATP Masters 1000 event in July, 12 years after his breakthrough semifinal there. 'It's been an amazing odyssey. I'm deeply thankful for the career, the chances tennis provided, and the lifelong friends I've made,' he said at the post-match ceremony. 'Growing up in a small B.C. town, it seemed like a far-off fantasy, but one step led to another—I improved, played smaller events, then bigger ones, and suddenly, here I was. It's easy to forget this was a dream realized.'
He peaked at No. 25 in singles and No. 4 in doubles, winning Wimbledon (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/wimbledon/540/overview) in 2014 with Jack Sock (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/jack-sock/sm25/overview) and seven ATP Tour doubles crowns overall.
Albert Ramos-Vinolas (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/albert-ramos-vinolas/r772/overview)
In front of family and local supporters, Albert Ramos-Vinolas (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/albert-ramos-vinolas/r772/overview) hung up his racquet after a 6-4, 7-5 quarterfinal loss to Jan Choinski (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/jan-choinski/ch12/overview) at the Valencia ATP Challenger Tour event in October. Turning pro in 2007, the Spaniard retired with four ATP Tour wins—from Bastad 2016, Gstaad 2019, Estoril 2021, and Cordoba 2022—plus eight more finals, including a deep run at the 2017 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/monte-carlo/410/overview). There, he toppled then-No. 1 Andy Murray (https://www.atptour.com/en/players/andy-murray/mc10/overview) in the round of 16, his career-defining upset.
Such breakthroughs propelled the left-hander to the Top 20, peaking at No. 17 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2017.
As we reflect on these retirements, one controversial angle emerges: In an era of shorter attention spans and rising physical demands, is the 20-plus year career becoming a relic? Or does it underscore the value of longevity in building a legacy? Do these farewells mark the close of a golden era, or just the natural ebb of talent? We'd love to hear your take—agree or disagree in the comments!
