8 Tennis Players Retire in October 2026

October was one of the busiest months of tennis farewells. Eight prominent tennis players retired from the sport, including a three-time Grand Slam champion. On that note, we have the complete list.

8 Tennis Players Retire in October 2026

1. Ana Bogdan

Of the eight names on this list, Ana Bogdan’s retirement was probably the most low-key. Bogdan last featured in February 2026 at the Transylvania Open in her home country. The former WTA World No. 39 has since updated her official Instagram profile, which now reads “Former Professional Tennis Player.”

2. Kei Nishikori

Kei Nishikori’s retirement was well documented. It was a matter of when and not if the former US Open finalist would bow out in 2026. And the injury-prone Japanese star hung up his racket following a first-round defeat to Frances Tiafoe at the Japan Open. Among his most significant accolades, Nishikori won 12 ATP titles and defeated Rafael Nadal to clinch a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

3. Gael Monfils

Gael Monfils was set to retire before the end of the 2026 season, but his decision to retire in the past caught many by surprise. The Frenchman endured double heartbreak in the past month. His marriage to WTA star Elina Svitolina ended following the couple’s announcement of their separation. Monfils then decided to retire from tennis earlier than planned because of the split. He withdrew from all mandatory anti-doping protocols and submitted his name to the International Integrity Agency (ITIA) retirement list.

4. Stan Wawrinka

Stan Wawrinka retired from tennis after a first-round defeat to Jiri Lehecka at the Swiss Indoors. Wawrinka received a fitting farewell in Basel in front of a packed home crowd. The 41-year-old won 16 Tour-level titles, including three Grand Slams. He partnered Roger Federer to win a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the duo was instrumental in helping Switzerland win its first Davis Cup title in 2014.

5. David Goffin

A third home farewell took place at the ATP 250 in Brussels, where Belgium’s David Goffin called time on his career. Goffin is the first and thus far only Belgian male player to reach the world’s Top 10. He won 6 ATP titles and was a runner-up at the 2017 ATP Finals.

6. Gastao Elias

Former ATP Top 100 player Gastao Elias also retired on home soil. The 35-year-old picked the Lisbon Challenger as the final tournament of his career, and he was granted that opportunity. Elias fell to a straight-sets defeat in the first round and shortly after gave a tearful retirement speech.

7. Mikhail Kukushkin

The last home farewell in this list took place in Almaty, where one of the best Kazakhstani tennis players retired at the ATP 250 event. Mikhail Kukushkin lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Round of 16 and officially retired. Kukushkin won his only Tour-level title at the 2010 St. Petersburg Open

8. Alicia Smith

Alicia Smith confirmed her retirement on Instagram. In an emotional post, Smith noted that she was stepping away from professional tennis after a 15-year career. The 30-year-old Australian mostly competed in the lower leagues and won six ITF doubles titles.

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