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The 2026 tennis season is approaching quickly, with the first tour event, the United Cup, set to start on January 2 in Australia. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz will look to defend their throne against the likes of Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner next year.
Novak Djokovic has started preparing for the 2026 season after facing constant retirement talks this year. The Serbian stayed competitive, reaching all major semifinals, and is expected to face similar questions about his future throughout 2026.
However, the 2025 season saw the top players Caroline Garcia, Richard Gasquet, and Fabio Fognini bidding farewell to sport. Fans can expect more retirements next season, so here are our three bold retirement predictions for 2026:
#3 Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens will be 33 in March next year and is expected to bid adieu to tennis after the 2026 season. The American's 2025 season was disrupted after she suffered a serious foot injury in February. Sloane Stephens returned to court in October at the Tampico 125, where she suffered a first-round exit.
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The 2017 US champion failed to win a match at any of the five WTA tour-level events she played in 2025. Sloane Stephens' last tour win came at the 2024 Wimbledon, where she defeated Elsa Jacquemot in the first round.
Sloane Stephens, who achieved her career-high ranking of No. 3 in 2017, has won eight WTA singles and one doubles titles. She held several part-time tennis analyst roles during her injury recovery this year and is expected to continue in these roles after her retirement in 2026.
#2 Venus Williams
Yes, Venus Williams is an active player on the WTA tour. The 45-year-old legend also remains the oldest active player with Grand Slam singles titles on the tour, but is likely to retire at the end of next season.
The elder Williams sister boasts seven majors, the most among active WTA players, and second-most after Novak Djokovic. Williams' last appearance came at the US Open this year, where she suffered a first-round loss against Karolina Muchova. She famously defeated Peyton Stearns in the first round of the DC Open this year, her first win in almost two years.
However, the veteran American was very selective with her calendar, featuring in just six events in 2024 and 2025. She is ranked 577 in singles and is likely to bow out after the US Open next season.
#1 Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, the last man standing from the Big Four, remains competitive despite struggling with various injuries in the previous couple of years. He made it to the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events in 2025, hoping to achieve his record-extending 25th major. The Serbian won his 100th and 101st ATP men's singles titles in Geneva and Athens, respectively, and finished the season as No. 4.
The 38-year-old completed a long-awaited career Golden Slam with an Olympic gold medal last year. The 25th Grand Slam title will be the icing on the cake for Djokovic, but failing to achieve it will not affect his legacy in the slightest.
With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominating for the top spot in men's tennis, Novak Djokovic will look to bid adieu to tennis on a high note, probably as a top-five-ranked player.
Venus Williams and Father Richard recall one match that 7-time Grand Slam champion "should have won"
