STARNBERG, December 5, 2019

Anna-Lena Grönefeld has announced her retirement from professional tennis, looking to start a family next. The 34-year-old German won one singles title and 17 doubles trophies on the WTA Tour. Grönefold also captured two Grand Slam titles in mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2009 and at Roland Garros 2014.

Posting on social media, she announced: “This little girl had dreams! For the last 18 years, she was able to live one of them! But now it’s time to hopefully fulfil another dream of having a family!

“I want to say thank you to everyone who was by my side through all those years in the ups and the downs! My family, friends and all of you who followed and supported me all these years! Thank you!”

Thank you!❤️ pic.twitter.com/MPhF954jQG

— Anna-Lena Groenefeld (@Annagroenefeld) December 5, 2019

Grönefeld capped off a 15 year-long career on the tour in style this autumn by qualifying for the WTA Finals in Shenzhen. Alongside Demi Schuurs from the Netherlands, the Nordhorn native played the round-robin format in the doubles competition.