Andrea Petkovic, the former World No.9, lost her final Grand Slam match on Tuesday. She lost 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to World No.13 Belinda Bencic in the first round of the U.S. Open. Soon after, the 34-year-old Petkovic announced her plans to retire after the U.S. Open.

The former top-10 player made her announcement after 16 years on the WTA tour. She found it difficult to maintain a regular schedule of games and training because of the growing number of injuries and niggles. Due to an adductor injury, the German was unable to complete her match against Annet Kontaveit in Hamburg and left the court in tears.

Andrea Petkovic bid a tearful farewell at the U.S. Open

Andrea Petkovic‘s emotional farewell at the U.S. Open on Tuesday proved how important tennis has been to the German. The 34-year-old wasn’t the only one in tears on the court, as fans felt the weight of the moment after she announced on Sunday that she would be retiring after the U.S. Open.

Petkovic stated after the game, “It was just pure sadness, which is also sometimes nice in a way. It was very pure. It wasn’t really negative. It was just exhausting.”  She added, “I think for me I still love the game, still have a tremendous amount of passion for the game.”

Top Stories

Carlos Alcaraz Announces Shocking Separation From Longtime Coach After Historic Run

Former World No. 37 Ends Career With Rare Admission About Misbehaving on Tour

Elena Rybakina Caught in Fresh Citizenship Dispute After Russian Claim

Tennis Rumor: Emma Raducanu Reportedly Set to Leave Nike to Follow in Roger Federer & Novak Djokovic’s Footsteps

Novak Djokovic Drops a Late Twist Ahead of the Australian Open 2026

ALSO READ- ‘Yes Please’ – Serena Williams Reveals Desire to Spend Quality Time With Sister Venus and Reilly Opelka

She also talked about how the increasing number of injuries and niggles made it difficult for her to maintain a regular schedule of games and training. “This year was really I had constantly to skip tournaments and to take breaks.” “The last four weeks I’ve just been playing with painkillers and antiinflammatories.”

She received loud chants of support and standing ovations throughout the entire game.

Petkovic’s WTA tour

On the Hologic WTA Tour, she won seven singles titles, the biggest coming in Charleston. She also reached the French Open semifinals in 2014 and the Australian and U.S. Open quarterfinals.

Petkovic represented Germany in the Fed Cup final in 2014, losing to the Czech Republic. Petkovic, who is currently ranked No.104, reached a career-high ranking of No.9 in 2011. She became the first German woman to do so since Stefanie Graf in 1999.

Watch this story: Serena Williams graces the red carpet premiere of Thor Love and Thunder alongside husband Alexis Ohanian