The only thing left to do is say goodbye.
Canadian tennis trailblazer Vasek Pospisil of Vernon will retire from the sport after playing in the National Bank Open in Toronto, presented by Rogers, July 26-Aug. 7.
The 35-year-old has received a main-draw wild card for the event for his final farewell.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never easy making a decision like this,鈥� said Pospisil in an interview with Tennis Canada. 鈥淭ennis has been a huge part of my life, but it has become clear, both mentally and physically, that it's the right time to step away. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the career I鈥檝e had, especially coming from a small town where this dream once felt so far away.
"While I鈥檓 genuinely excited for what鈥檚 next, there will always be a part of me that misses the sport and everything it鈥檚 given me. Thank you to the passionate Canadian tennis community for supporting and cheering me on throughout my career. I'm honoured to have the opportunity to finish it alongside you, my friends and family, in Toronto."
Pospisil 鈥� known around Vernon for learning the game on the tennis courts at the old Vernon Senior Secondary School where his father, Milos, would hit a shopping cart loaded with tennis balls for his son to return 鈥� is calling time on an 18-year professional career. During that time, he has claimed some of tennis鈥� most sought-after prizes, and achieved career-high rankings of No. 25 in singles (2014) and No. 4 in doubles (2015).
Alongside six doubles titles on the ATP Tour, including at Indian Wells (2015), the Canadian was a Wimbledon champion in 2014. There, Pospisil and American Jack Sock upset No. 1 seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in a thrilling five-set final on the All England Lawn and Tennis Club鈥檚 iconic Centre Court.
The following year, Pospisil reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in singles. He also reached three tour-level singles finals, in Washington (2014), Sofia, Bulgaria, and Montpellier, France, (both 2020).
In addition to his exploits on tour, Pospisil has represented Team Canada with distinction.
Affectionately earning the nickname Mr. Davis Cup, he has been ever-present on the Canadian roster since his debut in February 2008, racking up 35 ties played and 33 wins. His final appearance wearing the Maple Leaf was against Hungary in Montreal earlier this year.
His crowning moment in the competition came in 2022 when, alongside F茅lix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau and captain Frank Dancevic, Pospisil lifted the Davis Cup trophy for the first time in Canadian history, leading the team to four doubles wins at the Finals.
Pospisil also represented Canada twice at the Olympic Games (London 2012 and Rio 2016).
鈥淲e would like to thank Vasek [Pospisil] for everything he has done, and will continue to do, for Canadian tennis over the course of a spectacular career,鈥� said Gavin Ziv, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada. 鈥淎s the likes of Daniel Nestor did before him, Vasek has inspired countless Canadians across the country to pick up a racquet and participate in our great sport 鈥� proving, as the now-famous catchphrase goes, that 鈥榓nything is Pospisil.'
"His career highlights are the stuff of legend, including that incredible Wimbledon doubles victory in 2014 and, of course, a Davis Cup championship, which we know meant so much to him and to the growth and development of tennis in Canada. We wish him the very best in his retirement.鈥�
Pospisil鈥檚 last tournament will be at the National Bank Open in Toronto. He joins fellow Canadians Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov, Diallo and Road to the NBO champion Liam Draxl in the draw.
A firm fans鈥� favourite whenever he has graced the court in Toronto or Montreal, Pospisil played in one of the most highly anticipated matches in the tournament鈥檚 history in 2013. Beating No. 5 seed Tomas Berdych en route, a then-23-year-old Pospisil reached the semi-finals, where he faced compatriot and No. 11 seed Milos Raonic, who himself had overcome No. 13 seed Fabio Fognini and No. 6 seed Juan Martin del Potro.
The Canadian duo proceeded to play out a spectacular match at IGA Stadium, with Raonic claiming a narrow victory in a third-set tiebreak.
Karl Hale, the NBO Toronto tournament direcor, said Pospisil has been such an influential figure in Canadian tennis for the better part of two decades.
"He deserves a hero鈥檚 send off in Toronto," said Hale. "We look forward to celebrating Vasek鈥檚 career and achievements in style, in front of a home crowd at Sobeys Stadium and with the eyes of the tennis world on Canada. We know the fans will give him the goodbye he deserves.鈥�
