Mónica Puig retires from professional tennis
By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
Puerto Rican tennis star Mónica Puig announced her retirement from the courts on Monday.
“It’s not a goodbye, but a see you soon,” Puig said on her social media.
“During the last 28 years of my life, tennis has been my constant. It has provided me with some of the most exciting and memorable experiences I could have asked for,” she added. “But sometimes good things come to an end. Today I announce my retirement from tennis. After a tough 3-year fight with injuries and four surgeries, my body had enough.”
“This decision is not an easy one because I would have 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,” Puig wrote. “I would also love to announce that I will be very active in the world of tennis as a new full-time member of the ESPN family, as well as expanding into many other sports that I am passionate about. I will also explore consulting roles for young and promising tennis players, as well as with programs and academies.”
“There are so many people I would like to thank,” she continued. “My family without a doubt, my mom who has been with me on this crazy roller coaster 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, I would not have had the courage to fight for my dreams day after day. Puerto Rico, thank you for always supporting me. For being my strength and my home. Thank you for bringing me so much joy and love. Listening to our anthem on the podium for the first time in history with a gold medal, it will always be the most beautiful memory of my life and career.”
“Thanks tennis. You have been everything. I owe you my life
Here’s to the next chapter, Mónica”, she said.
Puig was women’s singles champion of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
She is the first Olympic gold medalist from Puerto Rico. She was also a gold medalist at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayagüez 2010, Veracruz 2014 and Barranquilla 2018, and a silver medalist at the XVI Pan American Games in Guadalajara 2011.
Puig is currently unranked in singles in the Women’s World Tennis Association, but in doubles is ranked at 1,175.