"It taught me discipline, resilience, power of dreaming big" – Prajnesh Gunneswaran retires from professional tennis
India’s Prajnesh Gunneswaran announced his retirement from professional tennis after playing the sport for over thirty years. The 35-year-old closed the curtain on his career in a note in which he talked about his journey from his early days to experiencing several highs and lows.
Gunneswaran, who achieved his career-best ATP singles ranking of No. 75 in the world back in 2019, last played in the ATP Challenger event in Pune in February 2023, where he lost to James Duckworth in the Round of 32. The veteran said that tennis helped him become better not only as an athlete, but also as a human being.
“As I write this, my heart swells with gratitude, pride, and a touch of nostalgia. Today, I step off the competitive tennis court for the last time. For over three decades, this game has been my sanctuary, my greatest teacher, and my most faithful companion. From the first swing of my racquet to representing India on the grandest stages, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Gunneswaran wrote in a statement.
“Every drop of sweat, every victory, every setback – it is all woven into fabric of who I am. Tennis taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of dreaming big. It gave me friendships that transcend borders and memories that will last a lifetime. It challenged me to dig deep, to grow and to be better – not just as a player but as a human being,” Gunneswaran added.
Prajnesh Gunneswaran’s career in brief
Prajnesh Gunneswaran started playing tennis at the age of five and moved to Barcelona at the age of 16. From 2010 to 2015, he suffered from multiple knee fractures. In his career, he won two ATP Challenger and eight ITF titles in singles.
In the 2018 Asian Games that took place in Jakarta, Gunneswaran won the bronze medal in the men’s singles after losing to eventual champion Denis Istomin. He also played in all four Grand Slams, but could never go past the first round of the main draw.