Canadian tennis icon Milos Raonic, the towering server who put the nation on the sport's global map, has officially called time on his professional career. The Thornhill native announced his retirement, closing the book on a journey that saw an unheralded kid from the suburbs defeat legends and climb to a world ranking of No. 3.
The Unlikely Pioneer from Thornhill
Before the era of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Bianca Andreescu, and Leylah Fernandez, there was Milos Raonic. He emerged at a time when Canadian tennis had no significant singles presence on the world stage. While Daniel Nestor found success in doubles, no Canadian man had made such a profound impact in singles competition.
Raonic turned professional in 2008 and methodically climbed the rankings. By 2011, he reached a then-unprecedented No. 37 for a Canadian. His rise continued, breaking into the Top 10 and peaking at world No. 3 in November 2016—a feat that seemed improbable for a Canadian player at the time.
A Career Built on a Devastating Weapon
Raonic's career was defined by one of the most feared serves in tennis history. This powerhouse delivery was his signature weapon, a fastball that could dismantle the games of the sport's greatest players. It propelled him to 383 wins in 567 career matches, including a 92-37 record in Grand Slam tournaments.
His personal highlight reel includes monumental victories that will define his legacy: three wins over Roger Federer (one in the Wimbledon semifinals), three wins over Andy Murray, and two victories against Rafael Nadal. These triumphs over members of the sport's legendary 'Big Three' underscore the level he reached.
Raonic's crowning achievement was reaching the 2016 Wimbledon final, the only Grand Slam final of his career. His career earnings on the ATP Tour totaled $20.8 million.
The Father of Modern Canadian Tennis
Raonic's success did not occur in a vacuum; it ignited a tennis revolution in Canada. He proved that a Canadian could compete with and beat the very best, creating a pathway for the generation that followed.
In his wake, Canadian tennis has flourished. On the women's side, Bianca Andreescu won the 2019 U.S. Open and reached world No. 4, while Leylah Fernandez played in a U.S. Open final. Eugenie Bouchard also reached a Grand Slam final and the No. 4 ranking.
Among the men, Felix Auger-Aliassime has climbed to world No. 5, and Denis Shapovalov has reached No. 10. New talents like Gabriel Diallo, who ended 2025 ranked 41st, continue to emerge, standing on the foundation Raonic built.
Injuries and the Inevitable Farewell
Like many power players, Raonic's body began to betray him over time. The physical demands of his game, centered around that explosive serve, took their toll. He did not play a match in 2025 and last competed at the 2024 Olympics. His final world ranking was No. 237.
At 35, Raonic retires at a typical age for professional athletes. His departure marks the end of an era for Canadian sports—the era of the pioneering giant whose thunderous serve announced Canada's arrival as a tennis nation and inspired a golden generation to dream bigger.
