Canadian tennis icon Milos Raonic has officially announced the end of his professional playing career. The 35-year-old from Thornhill, Ontario, made the announcement via social media on January 11, 2026, closing the book on a groundbreaking journey that helped usher in a golden era for the sport in Canada.
A Trail-Blazing Career Comes to a Close
Known universally for his thunderous serve, which earned him the nickname "The Missile from Thornhill," Raonic retires as the most successful male Canadian tennis player in history. His crowning achievement in the rankings was reaching world No. 3, a record for a Canadian man that still stands. In a heartfelt post, Raonic expressed profound gratitude, stating he felt like the "luckiest person" for having lived out his dreams.
"This is a moment you know will come one day, but somehow you never feel ready for it," Raonic wrote. "This is as ready as I will ever be. Tennis has been my love and obsession for most of my life." He reflected on starting the game at eight years old "by complete luck," an introduction that sparked a lifelong passion and profession.
Legacy of Success and Inspiration
Raonic's career was marked by significant milestones and consistent excellence. He compiled an impressive 383-184 record on the ATP Tour, claimed eight singles titles, and earned over $20 million in prize money. His most notable Grand Slam performance came in 2016 when he reached the final at Wimbledon, finishing as runner-up to Britain's Andy Murray.
A two-time Olympian, Raonic represented Canada at the 2012 London and 2024 Paris Games. His career was also defined by remarkable consistency; he won at least one ATP title every year for six consecutive years and maintained a spot in the world's top 10 from 2014 through 2017.
Paving the Way for a New Generation
Perhaps one of Raonic's most enduring impacts is the path he cleared for the next wave of Canadian tennis talent. As the first Canadian man to break into the ATP's top 30, he demonstrated that players from Canada could compete at the sport's highest levels. His success provided a blueprint and inspiration for contemporaries and successors like Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
In his retirement announcement, Raonic extended thanks to his family, coaches, colleagues, opponents, and fans worldwide. He acknowledged the mentors who guided him and made life's big questions easier to navigate. While he did not specify his next career move, Raonic assured everyone he "won't be slowing down," expressing a motivation and hunger for the future equal to when he first broke onto the tour in 2011.
Born in Montenegro, Raonic moved with his family to the Greater Toronto Area as a child. His retirement marks the end of a chapter for Canadian sports, closing the career of a player who forever changed the landscape of tennis in his adopted nation.
