Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic, former Wimbledon finalist and one of the most powerful servers in the modern game, has announced his retirement from professional tennis. The 35-year-old, known as “Missile” for his devastating serve, reflected on a career that saw him reach the pinnacle of the sport and compete at the very highest level.

Wimbledon Glory and Career Highlights

Raonic’s most notable career moment came at Wimbledon 2016, where he defeated Roger Federer to reach the final. In the championship match, he fell to Great Britain’s Andy Murray in straight sets, marking a career milestone as Canada’s first Wimbledon finalist in the Open Era.

That same year, Raonic achieved a career-high ATP ranking of world No. 3 and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, cementing his status among the elite in men’s tennis. Over his career, he won eight ATP Tour-level titles and reached four Masters 1000 finals, three against Novak Djokovic and one against Rafael Nadal, though he finished as runner-up in each.

The Raonic Announcement

Raonic shared his retirement news on social media, writing:

“The time has come, I am retiring from tennis. This is a moment you know will come one day, but somehow you never feel ready for it. This is as ready as I will ever be. Tennis has been my love and obsession for most of my life.”

He played his final professional match at the 2024 Olympics, losing in the first round to Germany’s Dominik Koepfer.

Reflecting on his journey, Raonic added:

“I have been the luckiest person to get to live out and fulfil my dreams. I got to show up every day and focus on just getting better, seeing where that will take me, and playing a game I was introduced to at eight years old by complete luck. Somehow, this became my entire obsession and childhood, and then became my profession and life.”

Early Life and Career Development

Born in Titograd, Yugoslavia (now Podgorica, Montenegro), Raonic moved to Canada at the age of three. He turned professional in 2008 and won his first ATP title at the Pacific Coast Championships in 2011, launching a career defined by his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.

Raonic’s game was widely admired for its combination of athleticism, consistency, and one of the fastest serves in the history of men’s tennis, earning him the nickname “Missile” among fans and commentators alike.

Looking Ahead

Despite stepping away from the sport, Raonic emphasized he is not slowing down:

“What’s next? I won’t be slowing down. There is so much more life to live, and I am as motivated and hungry as I was in 2011, when I broke through on tour. I will put the same effort and intensity into the next thing.”

His retirement marks the end of an era for Canadian tennis, with Raonic leaving a lasting legacy as one of the country’s most accomplished players on the ATP Tour.