Angelique Kerber, the three-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic silver medalist, ended her professional tennis career with a quarterfinal defeat to China's Qinwen Zheng at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kerber, who had announced her retirement before the tournament, took the first set in a tiebreak but ultimately fell to Zheng in three sets.
Zheng's victory makes her just the second Chinese tennis player to reach the women's singles semifinals at the Olympics. She will face the winner of the quarterfinal between Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins for a spot in the final.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, who recently battled in the Wimbledon final, continued their quest for Olympic gold by reaching the quarterfinals. Djokovic defeated Germany's Dominik Koepfer in straight sets, while Alcaraz defeated Roman Safiullin. Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, while Alcaraz will face Tommy Paul.
Djokovic, who is making his fifth Olympics appearance, is seeking his first Olympic gold medal. His best result came in Beijing in 2008 when he won a bronze medal.
8 Comments
Loubianka
What's the point of retiring when she clearly has the skill to compete?
KittyKat
So disappointing to see a legend go out this way. She deserved better.
Eugene Alta
A retirement during the Olympics? This feels rushed and too soon!
Loubianka
Retiring after a loss just feels unfinished. Come back, Kerber!
Katchuka
This puts a sour note on her legacy. I'd have liked to see her fight more.
Leonardo
A tough way to end, but I still think she had more to give to the sport.
Donatello
Even champions know when it's time to step away. Respect to Kerber!
Raphael
I wish she would reconsider her retirement. She has so much talent left!