2016 Olympics gold medalist Monica Puig retires aged 28

Monday, 13 June 2022 at 18:30

Updated at Friday, 24 January 2025 at 15:19

byErik Virostko

Former WTA World No. 27, Monica Puig, announced her surprising retirement from tennis at the age of 28.

Puig shockingly won the 2016 Rio Olympics. It was the best tournament of her tennis career, and in the final, she beat Angelique Kerber 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 to receive the gold medal.

Being an Olympic gold medalist is a title that no one ever loses, and it's something that has always been mentioned when it came to Puig. In recent years, however, she struggled on the tennis courts.

The Puerto Rican won her last professional match in Luxembourg in 2019, beating Kristyna Pliskova before losing to Julia Goerges in the next round of the tournament.

Since then, she struggled a lot. In 2020, Puig lost all three matches that she played, and she recorded two more losses in 2022. Her last professional match happened in May this year in Saint-Malo, France, where she retired only after three games against Fiona Ferro.

After struggling to properly recover from her injuries for three years, Puig has decided to end her professional career, despite still being only 28. She announced her retirement on social media.

"It’s not a goodbye, but a see you soon. Over the past 28 years of my life, tennis has been my constant. It has given me some of the most thrilling and memorable experiences I could have ever asked for. But, sometimes, good things come to an end. Today, I announce my retirement from tennis."

"After a tough 3-year fight with injuries and 4 surgeries, my body had enough. This decision isn’t an easy one because I would’ve loved to retire on my own terms, but sometimes life has other plans, and we have to open new doors that lead to exciting possibilities."

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Puig's retirement doesn't mean that tennis fans won't get a chance to see her around the Tour anymore. In the same announcement, the Olympic gold medalist confirmed that she joined ESPN as one of the experienced voices.

"I would love to also announce that I will be very much active in the tennis world as a new full time member of the ESPN family, along with branching out into many other sports that I am passionate about! I will also be exploring consulting roles for young, up and coming tennis players, as well as with programs and academies."

"There are so many people that I would like to thank. My family for certain: my mom, who has been with me on this crazy rollercoaster since day one, my dad, brother, fiancé, all my coaches, my agent Marijn, IMG, WTA, PRTA, COPUR, sponsors, and of course, my fans."

"Without you guys, I wouldn’t have had the courage to fight for my dreams day in and day out. Thank you, tennis. You have been everything. I owe you my life."