Anastasija Sevastova announces second retirement from tennis: "It is never easy to say goodbye to something you truly love"

For the second time in her career, Anastasija Sevastova is set to hang her racket up, but this time seemingly for good. The 36-year-old has enjoyed quite the tennis career, but she has decided now is the time to call it quits, announcing it with a heartfelt message on social media.

The Latvian reached a career high ranking of 11th in the world back in October 2018, regularly a contender in many WTA events. She first appeared on the scene back in 2007 and slowly grew herself into a very solid tennis player, making an impression to the tour after breaking into the top 100 two years later.

She won her first title in 2010 at the Estoril Open before reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open a year later, sending her to a career high of 36th. However, injuries and illnesses played their part, hampering Sevastova's time on court. In 2013, she made the tough decision to retire. She moved to Austria to study leisure management, in search of a fresh start.

Two years later, she was back with a vengeance. She reached six WTA finals between 2016 and 2018, winning the Mallorca Open and Bucharest Open in 2017 and 2018 respectively. In this time frame, she enjoyed a lot of success at the US Open. Back-to-back quarterfinals occurred in 2016 and 2017 before dumping out the reigning champion, Sloane Stephens, enroute to an eye-catching semi-final run in 2018. Following from this, she reached the final of the China Open, losing to Caroline Wozniacki. It was her only WTA 1000 final from three semi-finals reached. She also handed Serena Williams a first ever singles loss in Billie Jean King Cup, a huge achievement against the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Her last title in 2019 came on home soil. Baltic Open in Jurmala, Lativa, was her most special triumph. She went as the top seed and produced a stunning week of tennis in front of her home fans to take home the title. A trailblazer for Latvian tennis, Sevastova later took another break from the sport after becoming a mother for the first time. Injuries again struck as she missed 14 months due to an ACL injury. Her last notable run in the sport was the 2025 Canadian Open where she defeated two-time champion Jessica Pegula in the third round before her campaign was abruptly halted by eventual finalist Naomi Osaka.

She shared a message on Instagram, thanking her fans and people around her as she said goodbye once and for all.

"It is never easy to say goodbye to something you truly love, but after a few months of careful thought, I have made my decision," she wrote. "I am retiring from professional tennis. Looking back on all these years (decades, in fact) I feel nothing but gratitude. I have been honoured to share the court with the most incredible fellow players, coaches, physios, sponsors, officials, and of course, my amazing FANS.

"What a rollercoaster ride it has been, full of ups and downs, joys and challenges. Still, I couldn't be prouder of everything I have achieved, and even more so of the lifelong friendships I have built with so many outstanding people along the way. And finally, to my family and loved ones: words will never be enough. Please know that my deepest appreciation and limitless love are yours, always."