WASHINGTON, October 21, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
Julia Goerges, just two weeks shy of turning 32, announced her retirement from pro tennis on Wednesday. She posted a note on her official website.
“You have given me so many different types of emotions throughout our journey and I am very thankful for everything you have shown and taught me. I learnt how to deal with the toughest losses but also enjoy the most amazing wins of my career, to fight back many times when I was struggling with you and through it all we never lost sight of our dreams.
“I always knew how I would feel when it is time to say goodbye to you, and that moment has arrived. I am already to close the tennis chapter of my life and open a new one, which I am really excited about.
“Thank you for everything you have given me. You will stay forever in my heart.”
The native of Bad Oldesloe, Germany, who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 9, with seven WTA singles titles and five doubles titles, played professionally for 15 years. She was a longtime member of the German Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) team, starting in 2008 during which she appeared in 17 ties, and also represented her country at the 2012 London Olympic Games, where she reached the round of 16.
Currently ranked No. 45, Goerges played in just seven tournaments this year compiling a 7-7 win-loss record. Since the August re-launch of the WTA Tour following a five-month interruption due to the global coronavirus outbreak, Goerges was 1-2. She lost in the first round at Rome to Danika Kovinic, 6-1, 6-0, and fell in the second round at Roland Garros, both on clay. After beating No. 19 seed Alison Riske, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1, Goerges played what turned out to be her final match against fellow German Laura Siegemund and lost 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Thank you, @juliagoerges ❤️
We’ll miss you on Tour. pic.twitter.com/Uz0Ouu7VM5
— wta (@WTA) October 21, 2020
⭐️ 7️⃣ career singles titles
⭐️ 5️⃣ doubles titles
⭐️ Career-high singles ranking No. 9️⃣
⭐️ Only 1️⃣ of 3️⃣ Germans to earn a Top 15 ranking in both singles and doubles.
⭐️ 4️⃣7️⃣9️⃣ career wins@juliagoerges: Career by the numbers –> https://t.co/SJgjgAzJoi pic.twitter.com/IDR2gE1IFp— wta (@WTA) October 21, 2020
WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon paid tribute to Goerges. In a statement released on the WTA website, he wrote:
“Julia’s powerful playing style, exemplary sportsmanship and thoughtful nature made her a fantastic ambassador for women’s tennis and a fan favorite around the world. On behalf of the WTA family, I congratulate her on her wonderful career and the contributions she will leave with our sport and wish her every success and happiness for the future. She will certainly be missed.”
Many of Goerges’ contemporaries on the WTA Tour have posted congratulatory messages on social media. Among them, Karolina Pliskova from the Czech. Republic, who wrote: “Even though we achieved so many good results, our friendship is what I cherish the most! Thank you for all the lifetime memories, and I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your life! Happy retirement 😘”
Even though we achieved so many good results, our friendship is what I cherish the most! Thank you for all the lifetime memories, and I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your life! Happy retirement 😘@juliagoerges pic.twitter.com/hxznRANPaE
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) October 21, 2020
Another, Maria Sakkari, spoke fondly of Goerges during her videoconference that followed her second-round win against Elina Svitolina in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The 25-year-old Sakkari of Greece said:
“Julia was always one of the players who hugged me when I was young and I came on the tour. She was always super nice to me. To be honest, every single player would be jealous of her career. She has had some amazing Grand Slams. I think the way her career went, Top 10, tournament wins, being a nice person, which was the most important thing to me. Having that reputation of being a good human being, I think is the most important she can take with her. I really wish her all the best.”
Ohhh, this is such happy and sad news. I’m sad that I won’t see you on tour any more and happy because it means you are happy off court and you are ready to start another chapter! Your future looks very bright so I’m wishing you all the best and will keep in touch! ❤️😘🤗 https://t.co/c77xKSHwc1
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) October 21, 2020
Goerges finished her career with a 479-337 singles record across all levels, which included 316 main draw Tour-level victories. She appeared in 48 straight Grand Slam main draws, reaching the second week seven times, and compiled a 54-49 win-loss record, which included a semifinal performance at Wimbledon on grass in 2018.
