Angelique Kerber, the 2016 Australian Open champion and three-time grand slam winner, has announced she will retire after the Paris Olympics.
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The 36-year-old German won majors at every tournament except for the French Open at Roland Garros — on the same clay courts where she will bid farewell to tennis after the Paris Games.
She's been given a dramatic opener with four-time major winner Naomi Osaka, of Japan, in the first round.
"Before the Olympics begin, l can already say that I will never forget Paris 2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player," Kerber posted on Instagram.
"And whereas this might actually be the right decision, it will never feel that way. Simply because I love the sport with all my heart and l'm thankful for the memories and opportunities it has given me."
Kerber won the Melbourne slam and also the US Open crown in 2016 — the year she reached No.1 in the rankings — and won Wimbledon two years later.
"Paris 2024 will mark the finish line of the most incredible journey I could have ever dreamed of growing up with a racket in my hand," Kerber added.
"There are many more things I want to say and people to thank, which I will do once I completed my last match. But for now, I will take the time and soak up every second of this final episode on court."
Meanwhile third seed Elena Rybakina has become the latest high-profile withdrawal from the tennis competition.
Kazakhstan's former Wimbledon champion and 2023 Australian Open runner-up has pulled out of the singles and mixed doubles in which she was due to partner Alexander Bublik. No reason was given for her decision.
France's Caroline Garcia will now move into Rybakina's spot in the draw as the 17th seed, while Australia's Daria Saville enters the draw as an alternate.
Australian Associated Press
