Darcis Announces Retirement Plans

After 16 years on Tour, Belgian Steve Darcis is bringing his fruitful career to a close.

The 35-year-old confirmed he plans to retire after next year’s Australian Open. He shared the news during Saturday’s draw ceremony at the European Open in Antwerp, which will be his final tournament on home soil.

“I made a successful comeback in 2019, but after Wimbledon, I got problems again with my shoulder. Mentally and physically, I’m no longer at my best,” Darcis said. “Plenty of strong career moments will stay with me forever and I hope to end the year in a nice way. This also goes for my last tournament here in Antwerp.”

Darcis enjoyed a breakout year in 2017, reaching a career-high of No. 38 in the ATP Rankings, but was forced to miss the 2018 season due to an elbow injury. He returned this January and recorded his first ATP Tour semi-final in seven years at his first tournament back in Pune.

The Belgian has had several high-profile wins, but his biggest to date came against Rafael Nadal in the opening round at Wimbledon in 2013. At No. 135 in the ATP Rankings, Darcis was the lowest-ranked player at the time to defeat Nadal in a Grand Slam.

Darcis has received main draw singles and doubles wild cards this year in Antwerp. He’ll take on Frenchman Gilles Simon in the opening round and team with fellow Belgian Arnaud Bovy to face Maximo Gonzalez/Pablo Cuevas.