Belgian tennis star David Goffin has declared his intention to retire from professional tennis at the conclusion of the 2026 season. The announcement comes just before his 36th birthday on December 7th. Goffin leaves an indelible mark as one of Belgium’s most accomplished male players, notably being the sole Belgian man to reach the top 10 rankings, peaking at world No. 7 in 2017. His achievements secure his place in Belgian tennis history alongside legends like Justine Henin (7 Grand Slam titles) and Kim Clijsters (4 Grand Slam titles).
In a video shared on social media, Goffin cited a knee injury sustained in 2025 as a pivotal factor in his decision. “All these years competing at the highest level have taken a toll on my body,” he stated. “I’ve given everything to tennis, and the sport has given me far more than I ever dared to imagine. That’s what makes this decision so incredibly difficult.”
Throughout his distinguished career, Goffin reached the quarter-finals of four Grand Slam tournaments, with his most recent appearance at Wimbledon in 2022. He accumulated six singles titles, boasting a career record of 357 wins against 275 losses. His career highlight includes winning the Japan Open ATP 500 in 2017. Currently ranked 156th in the world, Goffin has not secured a match victory in 2026.
Goffin also holds the impressive distinction of having defeated some of the greatest players of his generation, including Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer once each, and Rafa Nadal twice. Furthermore, he notably overcame the current world No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz, at last year’s Miami Open.