Ranzi Sports

Asian Games medalist Prajnesh Gunneswaran announced his retirement from professional tennis on Friday, November 15. The 35-year-old athlete from Chennai shared his decision through social media, accompanied by an emotional message.

“I am putting down my racquet. Thank you.”

“As I compose this message, I am filled with gratitude, pride, and a hint of nostalgia. Today marks my final departure from the competitive tennis arena. For over thirty years, this sport has served as my refuge, my greatest mentor, and my most loyal companion. From my initial swing of the racquet to representing India on the most prestigious platforms, this journey has been truly remarkable,” he expressed in his statement.

Prominent figures from the Indian tennis community, including Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna, extended their congratulations to Prajnesh on his illustrious career.

Prajnesh, who secured a bronze medal in men’s singles tennis at the 2018 Asian Games, achieved a career-high ranking of 75. He began his tennis journey at the age of five in Chennai and honed his skills in Pune and Bengaluru during his teenage years.

He claimed national titles across all age categories from under-12 to under-18, establishing himself as a promising talent in Indian tennis.

In the early stages of his professional career, Prajnesh participated in ITF and ATP Challenger events, where he experienced limited success. However, 2018 marked a turning point for him. He captured two ATP Challenger singles titles at the Kunming Open and the Bengaluru Open, and earned a bronze medal in the men’s singles event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. This year also saw him make his Davis Cup debut for India and reach the final qualifying round of the French Open, although he was unable to compete in the main draw due to unforeseen circumstances.

In 2019, Prajnesh reached several significant milestones. He qualified for the main draws of all four Grand Slam tournaments, including his first appearance at the Australian Open. Additionally, he made notable progress on the ATP circuit, qualifying for the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open, and achieving a career-high singles ranking of No. 75 & entered main draw in Wimbledon.

In 2020, Prajnesh advanced to consecutive finals at two ATP Challenger tournaments held in the United States and participated in his fifth consecutive Grand Slam event at the Australian Open. Unfortunately, injuries hindered his advancement, resulting in a decline in his rankings and causing him to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.