British tennis star Joe Salisbury, a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion and former world number one, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 34. His final tournament was this month’s US Open, where he reached the semi-finals alongside his long-time partner Rajeev Ram.
Career Highlights for Joe Salisbury
Salisbury’s career, which began with his professional debut in 2011, marked him as Great Britain’s most successful men’s doubles player in the Open Era. He secured four Grand Slam men’s doubles titles: the Australian Open in 2020 with Rajeev Ram, and an unprecedented three consecutive US Open men’s doubles titles with Ram from 2021 to 2023. These victories made them the first pair in history to achieve this feat at the US Open, according to the BBC.
Beyond men’s doubles, Salisbury also clinched two mixed doubles trophies, winning at Roland Garros and the US Open in 2021 with Desirae Krawczyk. His list of achievements includes 17 tour-level titles, notably the season-ending ATP Finals in both 2022 and 2023. He also made his Davis Cup debut in 2021 and represented Team GB at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
Reflecting on Retirement
The 34-year-old indicated that the decision to retire had been on his mind for some time, stating he is now “very happy with the decision.” In a post on Instagram, Salisbury reflected on his journey: “Tennis has been my life for as long as I can remember and I have been incredibly fortunate to have had all the opportunities, experiences and success that I have. To be able to travel the world and call playing tennis my job has been a dream come true.” He added, “I gave it my all and know I can be proud and look back with no regrets.”
Earlier this year, Salisbury took a three-month break from the sport, having previously spoken to BBC Sport about the anxiety he experienced on tour. While he noted it didn’t significantly impact his playing ability, it created a “feeling of dread” that diminished his enjoyment of life on the road.
Tributes to a British Icon
Louis Cayer, Salisbury’s long-time coach and LTA Senior Performance Advisor, praised his dedication and character. “I was honoured to support you on your journey to becoming one of the best doubles players in the world,” Cayer stated, highlighting Salisbury’s athleticism and how he remained “humble, thoughtful and respectful of those around him.” Scott Lloyd, Chief Executive of the LTA, also congratulated Salisbury on an “outstanding career,” acknowledging him as “one of the most successful doubles players of his generation.” Lloyd added that Salisbury is admired for his “professionalism and humility,” as reported by the LTA.