'I Will Cherish These Memories': Gojowczyk Announces His Retirement

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Peter Gojowczyk, who has announced his retirement after an 18-year professional career, is part of an exclusive club in ATP Tour history.

In 2017, the German lifted the trophy at the Moselle Open in Metz as a qualifier, winning seven matches in the space of eight days to claim victory at the indoor hard-court ATP 250 in north-eastern France. It was therefore fitting that the 34-year-old Gojowczyk played the final match of his career, nine days ago, at this year’s edition of the same event.

“My time as a tennis pro was filled with incredible moments, challenges, and unforgettable experiences,” Gojowczyk told ATPTour.com after closing his career with a three-set qualifying loss to home favourite Harold Mayot in Metz. “Both on and off the court. I will cherish these memories forever.”

_{^{Peter Gojowczyk celebrates his sole ATP Tour crown in Metz in 2017. Photo: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP via Getty Images.}}

Gojowczyk ends his career with a 75-99 record at tour-level and a career-high of No. 39 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. That was achieved during his personal-best 2018 season, when he notched 23 tour-level wins and reached his other two ATP Tour finals, in Geneva and Delray Beach, respectively.

“As a professional tennis player, there are many things I will miss,” said Gojowczyk. “Waiting for my match, the rainy days in my hotel room! Joking aside, what I will truly miss is the competition against other players, the friendships I've made, the Grand Slams, and the incredible atmosphere surrounding them.

“Off the court, I've always enjoyed exploring cities, dining at great restaurants, and visiting local coffee shops. I even had a passion for bringing back coffee beans from different cities. I loved renting a boat or playing golf with friends, for instance during Indian Wells or in Miami.

“There were also setbacks, including two foot surgeries that I had to overcome. Eventually, my body couldn't keep up, especially with issues in my neck, feet, and hips. That's ultimately why I made the difficult decision to retire from the Tour.”

 

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The highlight of Gojowczyk’s career at the majors came in 2021, when he came through qualifying at the US Open before reaching the fourth round. There, he pushed an 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz to a deciding set.

“I lost in the end, in the fifth set, but it was a special experience that will always hold a special place in my heart,” reflected Gojowczyk. “Acapulco, Mexico and in particular all of the German tournaments, such as Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Halle, were also always very special for me and I will miss them.”

Gojowczyk lists playing Rafael Nadal in the 2014 Doha semi-finals, his three Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes with Roger Federer, and his Davis Cup debut for Germany in 2014, a singles rubber against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, as other standout memories from his playing career.

“I won after a gruelling four hours and 28 minutes,” recalled Gojowczyk of his 5-7, 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(8), 8-6 triumph against Tsonga in Nancy. “It was a battle with incredible moments I will never forget.”