Anastasija Sevastova has put away her rackets for good. The thirty-six-year-old Latvian announced her retirement on Instagram on Wednesday, closing the book on a twenty-year professional career. "It is never easy to say goodbye to something you truly love, but after months of deep reflection, I have made a decision," she wrote. "I am retiring from professional tennis."
Sevastova's journey stands apart. She turned professional in 2006 and climbed steadily through the rankings before a cascade of injuries pushed her to quit in May 2013. Twenty-three at the time, she left the circuit to study leisure management in Austria. Tennis appeared to belong to the past.
But Sevastova was not finished. In early 2015, she picked up the racket again, starting from scratch with no ranking at the bottom of the professional ladder. The comeback was spectacular. Within months she was back inside the top 120. By 2018, she reached world No. 11 and contested the US Open semifinal, where only Serena Williams stood in her way. Four WTA titles, wins against the best players of her generation, and uncommon resilience defined the second chapter.
"I couldn't be prouder of all that I have achieved, and even more so of the lifelong friendships I have formed," Sevastova added. A fitting summary from a player who always favoured consistency and fighting spirit over raw talent.
The final stretch was quieter. In 2026, Sevastova entered just two events: qualifying in Auckland and at the Australian Open, falling at the first hurdle both times. The body was no longer cooperating, and the competitive fire had gently dimmed. After months away from the courts, the decision made itself.
Latvian tennis loses its greatest ambassador. In a country that has never produced a comparable male or female star, Sevastova carried the flag for nearly two decades. Her arc — the injuries, the early retirement, the improbable return, the late peak — tells a story of perseverance that statistics alone cannot capture.
Thirty-six years old, four titles, a career-high of No. 11, a Grand Slam semifinal, and two careers in one. Sevastova leaves the tour on her own terms, this time for good.
