"There are decisions that are not easy to make, but they come from the heart and serenity" - Roberto Bautista Agut latest player to retire tennis career at end of 2026

Another big name is set to call it quits at the end of 2026. Following in the footsteps of Gael Monfils, Stan Wawrinka and David Goffin, Roberto Bautista Agut has also shared the news that 2026 will be his final one on the ATP Tour.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a lengthy career in the ATP, spanning from 2012 where he has consistently been a name to watch out for, now and again popping up with some great results and deep runs. Now 38-years-old, the inevitable retirement was soon coming for Agut who tried to continue his tennis career for as long as he possibly could.

The news was unveiled on social media, where he let his fans know that he was halting his tennis career at the end of 2026. "There are decisions that are not easy to make, but they come from the heart and serenity," he wrote. "The year 2026 will be my last as a professional tennis player. I have lived my dream for so many years."

It was a career to be proud of, leaving everything on the court in terms of work and effort put in. He now has the chance to enjoy his final weeks and months on tour before putting his feet up. "I gave everything I could in every training session and every match. I feel that now is the time to say goodbye, to enjoy each tournament in a different way, and to close this chapter with gratitude towards my dear tennis."

The year is not over yet as he looks to end with a bang. "I want to live this until the last point this year. Feel the support of the people, compete once more in the tournaments that have been part of my life, and say my farewells on the court, where I have always felt happy. Thank you to my family, my team, my sponsors, and everyone who has been there all these years. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all the fans who have accompanied me every moment. Until the last point, Roberto,"

Ranked as high as nine in the world, Bautista Agut has achieved a lot in his career. He debuted on the ATP Tour in 2009 before making his Grand Slam debut at the 2012 Australian Open. The first of 23 finals would come a year later in Chennai, India. He would have to wait over a year before clinching his maiden ATP title, winning the Rosmalen Championships after completing a brilliant comeback. A month later, he won his first title on clay.

21 of the finals he reached were 250 events. He would win 11 of them with his best year coming in 2016 when he made four finals. This was capped off with a run to the Shanghai Masters final, his one and only Masters 1000 final. He would lose in straight sets against Andy Murray. His biggest title to date came at the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships where he took down Lucas Pouille. A year later, he climbed to a career high of ninth in the world.

That year was his best in terms of Grand Slam results. After never making it past the fourth round, he completed this feat twice. The first at the Australian Open where he lost in four sets to Stefanos Tsitsipas, and later in the year Wimbledon where he stole the headlines by reaching the semi-finals, falling short against the eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

Bautista Agut has played in more than 700 tour-level matches, showing off his incredible longevity. His last title came in the 2024 European Open, showing despite his age he was still good enough to compete with the best. Now ranked 93rd in the world, he will hope to gain some places as he looks to end on a high. His last match came at the Monte-Carlo Masters where he retired when 4-0 down against Matteo Berrettini. He will be looking to get back to full fitness for his last ever Madrid Open, coming up shortly.