After 23 years on tour, Barbora Strycova officially said farewell to tennis on Day 9 at the 2023 US Open.
The 37-year-old Czech played her final match in Grandstand in mixed doubles alongisde Santiago Gonzalez, losing to Mate Pavic and Ena Shibahara 6-4, 7-6(6) in the quarterfinals.
Strycova wrapped up an illustrious 23-year career with 32 career doubles titles (as well as two in singles), an Olympic bronze medal in doubles, and six Billie Jean King Cup titles, the Czech player has a lot to be proud of. On top of the titles, the two-time Wimbledon doubles champion recorded more than 500 career singles and doubles wins, and earned career-highs of No. 16 in singles in 2017 and world No. 1 in doubles in 2019.
Strycova initially announced her retirement at the time of her pregnancy in 2021, but in February this year, she announced her intentions to return to tennis this summer for a final farewell tour at some of her favorite tournament. She played in both singles and doubles throughout the spring and summer beginning at the Madrid Open, teaming up with Hsieh Su-wei who she has won over 11 titles out of her 32 titles with over the course of her career.
Strycova and Hsieh teamed up in Rome, Birmingham, Eastbourne and at Wimbledon, where they made the magical run to claim their second doubles title at the All England Club. Unseeded, they lost just one set in six wins, and knocked off No. 3 seeds Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens in the final.
After a celebratory farewell in her home tournament in Prague last month, Strycova, mom of soon-to-be 2-year-old Vincent, made a final stop here in New York.
When asked about her decision to keep playing after her storybook Wimbledon finish, Strycova said it was a no-brainer.
“I had so many thoughts about finishing already in Wimbledon because we won,” Strycova said last week. “Somebody, a lot of people told me, finish here. No, I want to play this US Open because I love this tournament.
"Coming here was more about enjoying myself on court, enjoying the city, enjoying the family around me."
Strycova’s best result at the US Open in singles was the third round, which she made in 2014, 2015 and 2018, and best singles result at a major was the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2019. As for doubles, she was a two-time US Open semifinalist once in 2014 with Kimiko Date and again in 2017 with fellow Czech Lucie Safarova.
The two-time Wimbledon doubles champion ended her singles campaign in New York after straight-set loss to Kaia Kanepi in the opening round. She made the third round in doubles with fellow Czech Marketa Vondrousova, but due to injury, Voundrousova withdrew from their next match, abruptly ending her distinguished doubles career.
When reflecting on her career after her first round loss to Kanepi, Strycova was very happy and grateful for what she’s done, but expressed her readiness to move on after many long years.
“I had many obstacles during my career, but I wasn't sure if I want[ed] to really come back after giving birth,” Strycova said. “I am so happy that I decided to do so because I didn't miss tennis at all. I didn't want to come back because I was missing it, I just wanted to come back because I was feeling like I need to close this chapter from my side.
“I feel like the tennis, I need it, and also my tennis needs that. I did it. It was challenging, and it is still challenging. I am happy that I'm done. I love tennis. It's a great sport. Also I love my life without it. I have so many things what I want to do, what I did, with my son what I want. I can't wait to come back to my life without tennis.”
