Sock Announces Retirement From Tennis After US Open & Becomes Pickleball Pro

| by Nurein Ahmed

Former ATP No. 8 Jack Sock confirmed he will retire from tennis after playing this year's US Open before making the switch to Pickleball, where he will play it professionally.

Sock joins fellow American John Isner in hanging up his racket, with both of them announcing that this year's US Open will be their final event on the ATP Tour. Sock's tennis career spans 14 years on the pro circuit, playing his first main draw match at the 2010 US Open.

He is one of the most successful American male players in the last decade, winning four ATP singles titles - the biggest of which was the 2017 Paris Masters, which culminated with a debut appearance at the ATP Finals that same season. Consequently, Sock also broke the world's Top 10 for the first time.

Sock was also a pillar in team competitions, developing into an excellent double operator. He won four Grand Slam doubles titles throughout his career, the first of which came in mixed doubles in 2011 whilst he was still a teenager.

Unbelievable Debut: Jack Sock Wins His First Professional Pickleball Event
Unbelievable Debut: Jack Sock Wins His First Professional Pickleball Event

He played in all three tennis competitions at the 2016 Rio Olympics and came away with a bronze medal in doubles (alongside Steve Johnson) and a gold medal in mixed doubles (alongside Bethanie Mattek-Sands).

Sock was part of the USA team that finished as semifinalists at the 2018 Davis Cup, and he gatecrashed Roger Federer's retirement match last year as Team World won a maiden Laver Cup.

In a statement shared across his social media platforms, Sock announced that he will play at this year's US Open where he is a wild card entrant in the doubles draw (paring with Isner) for one final time in front of the 'best fans in the world', and he hopes he made the 'eight-year him' proud of his storied career.

"To the 8-year-old boy who immediately fell in love with the sport of tennis, I hope I made you proud. It's been 14 years of memories I will never forget."

"From winning Four Grand Slams, Olympic Gold and Bronze, top 10 rankings in singles and doubles, and competing on the Davis Cup and Laver Cup teams, it's been beyond what I could've ever dreamed. Without the help of so many people, none of that could've ever happened."

Sock also added in his farewell statement that his wife will soon welcome their first child. The 30-year-old says he is excited for a new chapter, although he did not discuss any details of his future, he has been signed up by the PPA Tour - the governing body of Pickleball.

Sock made his Pickleball debut earlier this year, a booming paddle sport that has become one of the fastest-growing in America since its official recognition as a sport in 2022.

Kenin, Isner & Sock Among 2023 US Open Doubles Wild Card Recipients
Kenin, Isner & Sock Among 2023 US Open Doubles Wild Card Recipients

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