US Open semi-finalist in 2009 and former world number 12 announces she plans to retire at Wimbledon this year

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Another WTA star has announced her plans to retire, as French Open preparations ramp up.

Earlier on Friday, former world number four Caroline Garcia announced she’ll retire soon, playing one of her final tournaments at the French Open.

During her career, Garcia won the WTA Finals and reached the semi-finals of the US Open in 2022.

She won’t be the only player calling it quits in 2025, however, as another WTA star has now announced her retirement.

Playing her final tournament at Wimbledon in the summer, a former Grand Slam semi-finalist will bid farewell to tennis at the age of 35.

Yanina Wickmayer says she will retire from tennis after Wimbledon

Taking to Instagram, former world number 12 Yanina Wickmayer shared a message with fans, announcing her retirement from tennis.

“The word is finally out,” she said.

“I decided to write the last pages of my tennis book in Wimbledon.

“Being able to close this last chapter on my own terms surrounded by the people who mean the world to me is what I am most grateful for.

“It’s not a goodbye just yet, there are still battles left to fight and enjoy.

“Thank you for everyone who walked this road with me. Let’s make these last moments unforgettable. Can’t wait to play in front of the Belgian fans at Roland Garros.

“Love Wicky.”

Wickmayer last appeared in the French Open main draw in 2018, but will enter this year’s event using her protected ranking (91st).

The Belgian hasn’t won a WTA main draw singles match in 588 days, a winless run she’d no doubt love to put an end to when she takes on fellow veteran Victoria Azarenka in her opening match at Roland Garros.

Wickmayer may reflect upon her stellar run to the last four in New York 16 years ago for inspiration, as she looks to write one ‘last chapter’ of her Grand Slam story.

How did Yanina Wickmayer reach the semi-finals of the 2009 US Open?

Before the 2009 US Open, Wickmayer had won just one Grand Slam match, at the French Open earlier in the year.

Producing several impressive performances, Wickmayer won five more at Flushing Meadows to advance to the semi-finals.

• 2009 US Open QF – Yanina Wickmayer beat Kateryna Bondarenko, 7-5, 6-4
• 2009 US Open 4R – Yanina Wickmayer beat Petra Kvitova, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
• 2009 US Open 3R – Yanina Wickmayer beat Sara Errani, 6-3, 6-4
• 2009 US Open 2R – Yanina Wickmayer beat Peng Shuai, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
• 2009 US Open 1R- Yanina Wickmayer beat Virginie Razzano, 6-4, 6-3

Belgium, a nation not known for its tennis success, had a player in both semi-finals, as Kim Clijsters, who had entered the tournament as a Wild Card, took on Serena Williams, while Wickmayer faced off against Caroline Wozniacki.

Clijsters did the job in her semi-final, but Wickmayer came unstuck against Wozniacki, losing 3-6, 3-6, as the potential all-Belgian final never materialized.

Wickmayer never returned to a Grand Slam semi-final, nor a quarterfinal, but did qualify for the last 16 on four more occasions.

While her Grand Slam results stuttered, Wickmayer flourished elsewhere on the WTA Tour, picking up five titles.

• 2009 Estoril Open
• 2009 Linz Open
• 2010 Auckland Open
• 2015 Tokyo Open
• 2016 Washington Open

She also secured five top-ten wins throughout her career, producing some of her best tennis against future/former Grand Slam champions.

Only time will tell if Wickmayer can add a sixth top ten win to her resume when she takes to the court in Paris for one final time.