Top tennis stars who came back from retirement

Martina Navratilova from the list has won a total of 18 grand slam titles.

Several tennis stars retirement in the past have been shocking but a few among them have a made a return to circuit and have gone on to be successful. The list consists of former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki who made a successful return to the circuit reaching the fourth round of recently concluded US Open. Martina Navratilova after announcing her retirement made a comeback and continued to play even after turning 45.

In this article let us look at the top names who have made a comeback to professional post their retirement.

Caroline Wozniacki

Former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki made a comeback to the professional circuit after a few years hiatus years. The 32-year-old announced that she will be returning to the court at the Canadian Open in Montreal in August to get some match practice ahead of the US Open. Wozniacki reached the fourth round of US Open losing to title winner Coco Gauff.

The Dane had earlier announced in 2020 that she will be retiring and played her final match at the Australian Open where she lost to Ons Jabeur in the third round (5-7,6-3,7-5). She has won one grand slam title and has finished as finalist twice at the US Open.

James Blake

The former American professional tennis player James Blake made his comeback this year to the the tennis circuit after almost ten years from announcing retirement in 2013. The 43-year-old made his comeback partnering alongside Hudson Rivera. The pair won the opening round but however lost in the quarter-final of ITF M15 Rancho Sante to Jack Anthrop and Bryce Nakashima (7-6,5-7,9-11).

Former World No. 4 has won 19 singles titles overall in his career and played his last match in 2013. He was also the part of the Davis Cup-winning team in 2007.

Kim Clijsters

The Belgian star player announced her retirement on May 2007. Apart from her maiden grand slam win, Clijsters is a two-time finalist at French Open. She then made her comeback after two years of announcing retirement.

On her return post comeback, she won her second grand slam title in just her third tournament. She went on to clinch back-to-back US Open titles in 2009 and 2010 and finally retired from professional tennis in 2012.

Martina Navratilova

One of the greatest tennis players, Martina Navratilova clinched 18 singles Grand Slams titles in her career. She retired from tennis in 1994 and after a span of six years made her comeback in 2000. However, she didn’t do well in the singles post her retirement due to which shifted her focus to doubles.

Navratilova won the mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon Open in 2003 pairing with Leander Paes from India. On July 6, 2006, the Czech played her last match at Wimbledon partnering Liezel Huber making the exit in the quarterfinals.

Martina Hingis

The Swiss tennis player, Martina Hingis, broke several records while playing in the professional tennis circuit. The five-time grand slam singles winner retired at the age of 22 due to an injury but made a return in 2006 which did not last long as she was banned due to the use of cocaine. Hingis then returned to the circuit in 2013 and decided to focus on doubles.

Since her return, Hingis has won several grand slam titles with Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. She along with Sania Mirza dominated the women's doubles circuit and held on to the World No. 1 spot for a long time. They were on a 41-match winning streak in the 2015-16 season and fell shy of the 44 mark which was the longest-ever winning streak since 1990. She then finally announced her retirement on October 2017.

Margaret Court

The former Australian professional tennis player initially retired at the age of 24 due to her marriage. She then made her return to the tennis circuit in 1967 and post her return went on win several accolades. Maragret Court is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time having won 64 major titles. Overall the tennis great has won 24 major Singles titles, 19 women's Doubles titles and 21 mixed doubles titles before retiring in 1977.

Bjorn Borg

The former Swedish World No., Bjorn Borg, dominated the tennis circuit in the 1970s having won 11 grand slam titles (six French Open and five Wimbledon championships). He retired at the age of 26 in 1983 and his retirement was a complete shock to the tennis world. He however made a comeback in 1991 but couldn't get back to his original best. After two years, Borg made his final retirement in 1993.

Justine Henin

The Belgian super star Justine Henin had come back from retirement twice; first in 2008 and then in 2010. Former World No. 1 had came from a country where there was no support for the sport. She helped Belgium in becoming a leading force in women's tennis.

The seven-time grand slam champion's career was marred with injuries but overcome it with determination and perseverance. In 2008, Henin announced her retirement which left the whole tennis world shocked as she was in tremendous form. After two years she made a comeback in 2010 but however a year later she announced her retirement due to an elbow injury which prevented her from continuing with the sport.