Former world number one doubles player Joe Salisbury has brought his professional tennis career to an end after more than a decade at the highest level, choosing the US Open as the stage for his final appearance.
The 34-year-old Londoner ended his career alongside longtime doubles partner Rajeev Ram, who had also announced plans to retire. The pair reached the semi-finals of this year’s US Open before their campaign came to an end.
The decision to finish at Flushing Meadows carried particular significance for Salisbury and Ram. In 2023, they made tennis history by becoming the first men's doubles partnership to win three consecutive US Open titles.
Salisbury retires as Britain's most successful men's doubles player of the Open era, having accumulated six Grand Slam doubles titles during a decorated career.
His major successes included the 2020 Australian Open men's doubles title with Ram, while he also won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles alongside Desirae Krawczyk.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Salisbury said he had spent considerable time thinking about his future before concluding that the time was right to walk away from professional tennis.
The British star said he was now "very happy with the decision", expressing gratitude for the experiences and opportunities the sport had provided throughout his life.
"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," he posted on Instagram.
"To be able to travel the world and call playing tennis my job has been a dream come true and I never believed I could have lived the life and had the career that I have.
"I gave it my all and know I can be proud and look back with no regrets."
Salisbury's final season also came after a difficult period away from the court. He took a three-month break at the beginning of the year after previously speaking to BBC Sport about anxiety that had been affecting him while competing on tour.
Although he did not believe the anxiety had significantly affected his performances, Salisbury said the experience had changed how he felt about travelling and competing week after week.
He described having a "feeling of dread", which made life on the professional circuit considerably less enjoyable.
Despite those challenges, Salisbury leaves the sport with an impressive record that places him among the leading British doubles players of his generation.
He finished his career with 17 tour-level titles, including victories at the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals in 2022 and 2023.
His partnership with Ram was central to the most successful period of his career, with the duo establishing themselves as one of the dominant men's doubles teams of their era.
Their run at the US Open therefore provided a fitting final chapter for Salisbury, allowing him to conclude his career at the tournament where he and Ram had achieved one of their most remarkable feats.
After years of competing around the world and collecting major titles, Salisbury now steps away from professional tennis with a career defined by Grand Slam success, longevity and a record-breaking partnership.