Ricard Berankis
Berankis announces retirement: ‘These experiences have shaped me’
Former junior world number 1 is also the highest ranked Lithuanian player in history
December 10, 2025
Ricardas Berankis reached career No. 50 in the PIF ATP rankings.
By ATP staff
Ricardas Berankis, the highest-ranked Lithuanian player in history, announced his retirement from professional tennis via a post on X on Tuesday.
“Today is one of those days that seems like it will never come, but when it does, it hits me very sensitively and deeply,” the 35-year-old wrote. “I would like to announce that I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life: ending my professional tennis career.”
Berankis reached a career-high number 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2016 and ended his career as a two-time finalist on the ATP Tour.
“Twenty-five years is not just a number. It is a life path, a childhood dream to reach the heights of tennis that I have followed,” Berankis continued. “This phase passed in the blink of an eye, but at the same time it left behind an unimaginable amount of excitement, struggle, victories, painful experiences, lasting memories and acquaintances that will accompany me for the rest of my life.”
Berankis won the US Open boys title and the Orange Bowl Tennis Championships in 2007 – the same year he rose to No. 1 in the ITF Junior World Rankings. In addition to reaching two ATP Tour finals in Los Angeles in 2012 and Moscow in 2017, he also captured a tour-level doubles title in Houston with Teymuraz Gabashvili in 2015.
“There were ups. There were downs. These experiences shaped me as an athlete and as a person,” Berankis wrote. “Every story has its beginning and its end… Today I close one of the most important chapters of my life, and I do so with peace and gratitude.
“I thank everyone who was there for me: my family, friends, coaches, teammates, sponsors, partners, fans and everyone who believed in me, supported me, encouraged me and helped me get up when things were the hardest. My faith and your support were my driving force.”
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