Former world number one doubles player and six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Joe Salisbury has retired from professional tennis, according to the BBC. The 34-year-old British player confirmed his retirement during this month’s US Open, where he reached the semi-finals with his longtime doubles partner Rajeev Ram, who also announced his retirement. The US Open was a fitting venue for their farewell, as Salisbury and Ram became the first pair in history to win three consecutive US Open men’s doubles titles in 2023.

Retirement and Career Reflections

Salisbury, 34, shared his decision on Instagram, stating he had been thinking about it for a while and is now “very happy with the decision.” He expressed gratitude for the opportunities and success he experienced over his career, saying, “Tennis has been my life for as long as I can remember and I have been incredibly fortunate to have had all the opportunities, experiences and success that I have.”

Salisbury also reflected on the emotional impact of his career, noting he took a three-month break at the start of 2026 due to anxiety he experienced on tour. While it didn’t significantly affect his performance, it left him with a “feeling of dread,” making life on the road less enjoyable.

He also won the 2020 Australian Open with Ram and two mixed doubles titles with Desirae Krawczyk. Salisbury finishes his career with 17 tour-level titles, including the ATP Finals in 2022 and 2023. His debut on the ATP Tour came in 2010 at the U.S. National Indoor Championships, where he partnered with Irish player David O’Hare.

Final Match and Teammate’s Retirement

Salisbury and Ram faced Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz in the 2026 US Open semi-finals, losing 6–3, 6–4, according to the Frankfurter Rundschau. The match marked the final professional appearance for 42-year-old Rajeev Ram, who announced his retirement after the loss. Ram said he had tried to avoid the idea of retiring during the tournament but eventually decided that the US Open was the perfect place to conclude his career.

“New York, my tournament, my crowd, with my partner on a court that meant so much to me,” Ram said in a post-match interview. The duo had won the US Open three times and held six Grand Slam titles between them. Ram also won two Olympic medals and was ranked world number one in doubles.

The Punto de Break article noted that while Ram’s retirement was expected, Salisbury’s followed shortly after and caught many by surprise. The pair had reunited after some time apart, with Ram choosing to end his career alongside the man he had shared so much success with over the years.

Legacy and Reactions

Salisbury’s career included six Grand Slam doubles titles: the 2020 Australian Open, and four US Open titles from 2021 to 2023. He also won two mixed doubles titles at the 2021 French Open and 2022 US Open with Desirae Krawczyk. His semi-final appearance at the 2026 US Open marked his final professional match.

Salisbury’s retirement marks the end of an era for British tennis, as he is Britain’s most successful men’s doubles player of the Open Era. British players have expressed admiration for his career and thanked him for his contributions to the sport. His decision to retire comes after years of success, including two ATP Finals titles in 2022 and 2023.

With his career complete, Salisbury said he is “proud” and has “no regrets.” He concluded his message by saying, “I gave it my all and know I can be proud and look back with no regrets.”