American tennis will wave goodbye to another of its big-serving stars after the US Open as Jack Sock has announced the tournament “will be the final event of my career”.
The announcement comes just a few days after John Isner revealed that he will hang up his racket after the hard-court Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. Unsurprisingly, the duo will team up in the men’s doubles in New York.
Sock made his debut in 2010 and he reached a career-high of No 8 in the ATP Rankings in 2017 on the back of winning the Paris Masters – the biggest of his four titles.
But it was in the doubles where he enjoyed most of his success as he won two men’s doubles titles at Wimbledon and one at the US Open. He also won the US Open mixed doubles title in 2011 and gold in the mixed doubles at the 2016 Rio Games.
In a post on Instagram, the 30-year-old wrote: “To the eight-year-old boy who immediately fell in love with the sport of tennis. I hope I made you proud.
“It’s been 14 years of memories I will never forget. From winning four Grand Slams, Olympic gold and bronze, top 10 rankings in singles and doubles and competing on the Davis Cup and Laver Cup teams, it’s been beyond what I could’ve ever dreamed. Without the help of so many people, none of that could’ve ever happened.”
He added: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with many people over the years on the ATP Tour, but I wouldn’t be the player I am today without the help of Mike Wolf. Coach – thank you for all the hours and dedication you’ve put in since my first lesson at the age of 10.
“To all my coaches, physios, sponsors and fans along the way – Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I wish I could thank each of you individually but you know who you are and I am eternally grateful.
“I’ve had the privilege of competing at Flushing Meadows since I was 17 and this year’s US Open will be the final event of my career. I look forward to creating memories in front of the best fans in the world one last time!”
Sock’s retirement post was followed by an announcement from the Professional Pickleball Association that he had joined the league along with another former American tennis player Sam Querrey.
“Jack Sock had a heckuva run in pro tennis,” ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe told Forbes.com. “He had a great year in singles in 2017. And without a doubt, he was one of the very best doubles players in the last decade.
“He will have a great career in pickle too…he has tremendous skills for that game, too.”
READ MORE: Emotional farewell beckons for John Isner at the US Open
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