The 2023 pro doubles tour was nothing short of eventful and entertaining for both the ATP and WTA fields. Though we saw fewer retirements than the great exodus of the pandemic years, a core group of high-profile players, fan favorites, and doubles veterans closed the final chapter of their illustrious careers in 2023.
From five former World No. 1s and multi-grand slam champions to global icons and decades-long doubles partnerships, let’s pay tribute to 11 WTA and ATP players who hung up their racquets in 2023 and each left their own mark on the doubles game.
Sania Mirza: A Global Sports Icon
- Career Doubles Record: 536-248 (68%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 43
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 1
- Notable Partners: Martina Hingis, Elena Vesnina, Bethanie Mattek-Sands
Few players have likely made as significant a global and cultural impact on tennis as Sania Mirza. On the court, Mirza became the first Indian woman to win a grand slam and reach World No. 1 in women’s doubles. By the end of her career, she won three women’s doubles majors and three mixed doubles majors.
Related Podcast
Sania Mirza Interview: The former doubles World No. 1 reflects on her career legacy and offers doubles and mixed doubles strategy insights.
The peak of her doubles career came in 2015-2016 when she teamed up with Martina Hingis to go on an incredibly dominant run. From September 2015 to February 2016, they went 41-0, became world No.1s, and won nine straight titles together, including two majors at the 2015 U.S. Open and 2016 Australian Open. Mirza was also a formidable top singles player in her prime who reached a career-high ranking of No. 27.
Mirza’s off-court impact is equally remarkable, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes as a trailblazing female athlete in India. In 2016, Mirza was a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan and was also named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine. Over the last two decades, Mirza has become a cultural icon, inspiring younger generations of Indian women to pursue their dreams.
We interviewed Sania at the 2022 Canadian Open in Toronto and here’s what she had to say about her legendary partnership with Martina Hingis…
By far we were each other’s best partners. We didn’t lose a match for almost six months I think from the 2015 U.S. Open to March 2016. Neither of us really imagined winning 41 matches in a row and achieving the things we did together. We were able to push our limits and get the best out of each other on court. It was great to have her on my side; the way she sees the court is probably the best person I’ve ever played with. She knows where the ball is going to come before the opponent hits it. She doesn’t have a lot of power, but she makes up for it with the anticipation she has. Together under pressure we were really good, and that’s why we were winning so much.
Sania Mirza
Juan Sebastian Cabal & Robert Farah: A 13+ Year Doubles Partnership
- Career Doubles Record: 393-255; 61% (Cabal), 353-223; 61% (Farah)
- Career Doubles Titles: 20 (Cabal), 19 (Farah)
- Two major titles together (2019 Wimbledon and U.S. Open)
- Career High Doubles Ranking: 1
It’s hard to mention the name Cabal without Farah. As Rob Schneider so eloquently said in the popular 1999 Adam Sandler hit, Big Daddy, “They go together like…lamb and tuna fish.”
The Colombian doubles duo of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah was one of the rare doubles teams who played together exclusively throughout the duration of their 13-year doubles partnership from 2010 to 2023. A constant force atop the ATP doubles game for several years, the peak of their dynasty came in 2019 when they captured back-to-back grand slam titles at the 2019 Wimbledon and U.S. Open tournaments and became the ATP world No. 1 doubles team.
Other career doubles highlights include 2018 Australian Open finalists, four-time Roland Garros semi-finalists, and two-time Masters 100 champions at the Italian Open in Rome.
Representing their home nation of Colombia on the tennis court was one of Cabal and Farah’s greatest career honors. They played in the Colombian Davis Cup together for more than a decade and also participated in both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
At many tournaments, most notably the U.S. Open, the atmosphere at Cabal and Farah’s matches often resembled a Davis Cup match with a large Colombian fan base passionately rooting for their favorite national team. For doubles teams looking to create the ideal partnership, they should take note of Cabal and Farah to learn lessons of team loyalty and longevity.
Related Article
Cabal and Farah Spotlight: 5 Learning Lessons That Doubles Teams Can Take from Cabal & Farah’s Partnership Legacy
Sam Stosur: Aussie Tennis Legend
- Career Doubles Record: 450-256 (63%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 28
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 1
- Notable Partners: Lisa Raymond, Shuai Zhang
With a humble, down-to-earth Aussie mentality, Sam Stosur personified the “girl next door” mantra in tennis better than most. Perhaps best known for her powerful kick serve and heavy topspin forehand, Stosur racked up eight grand slam titles in women’s singles (1), women’s doubles (4), and mixed doubles (3) throughout her 24-year multi-faceted career.
Stosur’s doubles career catapulted at a young age alongside veteran Lisa Raymond. Together, the Aussie-American duo won two major titles, back-to-back WTA Finals, and reached World No. 1 in doubles in 2005-2006. She also made a late-career doubles surge with good friend and former partner, Shuai Zhang, by winning a second pair of majors at the 2019 Australian Open and 2021 U.S. Open. Stosur narrowly missed accomplishing the career slam at Wimbledon, where she finished as a three-time slam finalist in 2008, 2009, and 2011.
While she may not have been victorious at the Wimbledon finals in women’s doubles, she won the mixed doubles crown twice at the All-England Club alongside Bob Bryan in 2008 and Nenad Zimonjic in 2014. Stosur also captured the Australian Open mixed title with Scott Draper in 2005.
Her greatest career claim to fame was defeating Serena Williams comprehensively 6-2, 6-3 in a controversial U.S. Open finals match in 2011 to claim her lone singles major. I recently interviewed Ellen Perez, a fellow Aussie and close friend of Stosur, who shared a few nice thoughts about Stosur and her legacy on both the sport and Aussie tennis.
Sam is awesome. For a lot of Aussies, she is the role model and pinnacle of tennis. She’s a big reason why a lot of Aussie girls picked up a tennis racquet. Growing up, it was all about Sam. One of my coolest moments was when I was 12 years old and got to hit with her in Sydney right after she won the U.S. Open. Several years later, I got the opportunity to play with her at the Tokyo Olympics. She helped me stay calm and make it not that big of a deal. She’s always super friendly, welcoming and down to earth. It’s easy to be friends with Sam. To have someone with her leadership, experience and knowledge now as the Aussie BJK cup team will be incredible.
Ellen Perez
Jack Sock: Best De-Facto Men’s Doubles Player?
- Career Doubles Record: 210-101 (67%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 17 (3 majors)
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 2
- Notable Partners: Vasek Pospispil, Mike Bryan, John Isner
Many tennis experts considered Jack Sock to be arguably the best doubles player in the world. Though singles was top priority, Sock’s powerful forehand, natural athleticism, and aggressive net play made him one of the toughest players to beat in doubles.
The former world No. 2 won 17 doubles titles with nine different partners, including three major titles and four Masters 1000 trophies. He partnered with Canadian talent Vasek Pospisil to win his first major at Wimbledon in 2014, where they defeated the Bryan Brothers in a thrilling final.
Four years later, he teamed up with fellow American Mike Bryan to win back-to-back majors at the 2018 Wimbledon and U.S. Open. At the end of 2018, Sock and Bryan won the ATP Finals and were voted ATP Doubles Team of the Year.
Sock also scored impressive doubles wins while representing Team USA on the Olympic stage. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he captured the gold medal in mixed doubles with Bethanie Mattek-Sands and the bronze medal in men’s doubles with good friend Steve Johnson. He also won the 2011 U.S. Open mixed doubles title with Melanie Oudin.
Sock played a pivotal role in doubles for Team World at Laver Cup over the last several years. He posted a 9-3 doubles record in Laver Cup and notoriously ended Roger Federer’s career with a straight-set victory over Federer/Nadal in 2022 alongside Frances Tiafoe.
Barbora Strycova: A Fiery Czech Competitor
- Career Doubles Record: 517-267 (65%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 32
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 1
- Notable Partners: Hsieh Su-Wei, Lucie Safarova
Barbora Strycova, a 37-year-old Czech tennis stalwart and former top 20 singles player, wore her emotions on her sleeve throughout her career. As a result, she endeared herself to many fans in the Czech Republic and across the world.
The most prolific period of her doubles career came in 2019 when she and partner Hsieh Su-wei won the Wimbledon title, Strycova’s first major trophy, and achieved the World No. 1 ranking. Four years later, after both being sidelined from the tour for nearly 18 months, Strycova and Hsieh found their Wimbledon mojo again.
The unseeded pair completed a Cinderella story run to capture their second Wimbledon title in 2023. It was undoubtedly one of the top unexpected feel-good stories of the fortnight.
Strycova often played her best tennis when representing the Czech Republic. She played an integral role in the Czech Republic’s Billie Jean King Cup dynasty by helping the Czechs capture a dominant six titles within eight years from 2011 to 2018, including a notable doubles win with Karolina Pliskova in the 2016 finals to clinch the tie against France. Strycova and compatriot Lucie Safarova also captured the bronze medal in women’s doubles during the same season at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Related Article
Unexpected Wimbledon Champions: Hsieh and Strycova quickly returned to their winning ways to capture the 2023 Wimbledon title in dramatic fashion.
John Isner: The Big-Serving American
- Career Doubles Record: 151-114 (57%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 8
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 14
- Notable Partners: Jack Sock, Hubert Hurkacz, Sam Querrey
I know what you’re thinking… John Isner isn’t a “doubles player.” Or is he?
Of course, he was best known for his singles career, his massive serve, and his role in playing the longest match in grand slam history vs. Nicholas Mahut at Wimbledon. But, at his best, Isner was once a top 15 doubles player who won eight doubles titles with five different partners.
Even more impressively, he won five of his eight doubles titles at ATP Masters 1000 Level Events:
- Rome (2011 with Sam Querrey)
- Shanghai (2016 with Jack Sock)
- Indian Wells (2018 and 2022 with Jack Sock)
- Miami Open (2022 with Hubie Hurkacz)
Isner’s best year in doubles came at the very end of his career when he won the “Doubles Sunshine Double” in 2022 by claiming back-to-back doubles titles at Indian Wells and Miami. During the 2022 clay season, he also followed up his impressive hard-court season with a runner-up performance at the Italian Open in Rome alongside Diego Schwartzmann.
Much to the delight of fans, the two entered doubles together merely as a fun joke given their friendship and the stark height contrast between 6-foot-10 Isner and 5-foot-7 Schwartzmann. Isner admitted they surprised themselves to make it to the finals and nearly win the title.
During Isner’s last season on tour, some people (including me) speculated that, with the right partner (hello Jack Sock) and motivation, Isner could extend his career on tour for many more years as a top doubles specialist if he wanted to. Never say never?
Kirsten Flipkens: A Loyal Belgian Stalwart
- Career Doubles Record: 156-148 (51%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 7
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 23
- Notable Partners: Sara Sorribes-Tormo
A longtime Belgian tennis stalwart, Kirsten Flipkens’ illustrious 20-year pro career began during a pivotal time for the sport in Belgium. The 37-year-old turned pro in 2003 during the rise of Belgian hall-of-famers, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, and retired 20 years later during the “Elise Mertens” era of Belgian tennis.
A former top 20 singles player and top 25 doubles player, Flipkens was most known for her doubles expertise, particularly during the last few years of her career. On the grand slam stage, she advanced to the 2019 Roland Garros semi-finals with Johanna Larson and achieved a pair of quarterfinal finishes at the 2022 Australian Open and U.S. Open alongside partner Sara Sorribes-Tormo. Flipkens’ best career mixed doubles performance also came at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she finished runner-up with Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
Throughout her career, Flipkens wore the Belgian flag proudly whenever she got the opportunity. She represented Belgium at the 2016 Rio Olympics and received the Fed Cup Commitment Award for representing the Belgian Fed Cup tennis team for over 16 years.
Although she hung up her racquets as a player, Flipkens hopes to stay closely involved in the sport in a coaching capacity. At the 2023 WTA Finals, we interviewed her on the Doubles Only Tennis Podcast, in a podcast interview while she was in Cancun coaching Demi Schuurs and Desirae Krawczyk.
Related Podcast
Kirsten Flipkens Interview: The Belgian veteran offers doubles strategy insight and talks about her transition from player to coach.
Oliver Marach: A Consummate Doubles Veteran
Oliver Marach’s pro tennis career is marked by an impressive level of consistency, longevity, and notable partnerships throughout his 24-year career on tour. The former World No. 2 Austrian-born doubles specialist captured 23 doubles titles with 11 different partners throughout his career from 2007 to 2019.
Marach was a reliable grand slam performer whose best grand slam showing included winning the 2018 Australian Open title alongside Mate Pavic over fellow 2023 retirees, Cabal and Farah. Apart from his lone major title, he posted runner-up performances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and two semi-final finishes at the U.S. Open. He also qualified for the ATP Finals an impressive six different times.
In an interview with ATPtour.com, Marach reflected on his career legacy.
For me it’s very special. I have big emotions around this tournament. This is my first time in Turin, but I played four times in London. For me it has always been next to the Grand Slams as the biggest tournament in the world, I love to come here. They treat the players specially, and the best players get together in a final clash of the year. I always enjoyed the tournament and I’m happy to have my retirement here.
Oliver Marach
Coco Vandeweghe: Big Hitter with Big Confidence
- Career Doubles Record: 128-111 (54%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 4
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 14
- Notable Partners: Ash Barty, Martina Hingis
Coco Vandeweghe’s powerful game style and bold personality were two of the defining traits of her tennis career. A former top 10 singles player, Vandeweghe also built an accomplished doubles career with a variety of partners.
Her best year on the doubles tour came in 2018 when she and Ash Barty teamed up to win the U.S. Open title, Vandeweghe’s lone major title, and qualified for the 2018 WTA Finals. In the years prior to her major title, she was also a two-time U.S. Open semi-finalist with Anna Lena-Groenefeld (2015) and Martina Hingis (2016).
In 2017, Vandeweghe posted a career season in Fed Cup competition to help clinch USA’s first title since 2000. During the year, she went 8-0 in Fed Cup matches across three ties and played a pivotal role in clinching the deciding championship doubles rubber alongside Shelby Rogers. Vandeweghe is also a two-time Grand Slam finalist in mixed doubles, reaching the final at the 2016 Australian Open with Horia Tecău and the 2016 US Open with compatriot Rajeev Ram.
Vandeweghe concluded her career in convincing doubles fashion at the San Diego Open. She and good friend Danielle Collins entered as wildcard recipients and went on a surprise run to the finals, where they lost a tight two-setter to the former Czech world No. 1 team of Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova.
Treat Huey: A College Tennis Doubles Success Story
- Career Doubles Record: 191-170 (53%)
- Career Doubles Titles: 8
- Career High Doubles Ranking: No. 18
- Notable Partners: Dominic Inglot, Max Mirnyi, Scott Lipsky
Treat Huey’s consistency and versatility on the doubles court helped him evolve into a top doubles specialist throughout his 15-year ATP career. The Filipino-American turned pro in 2008 following a standout collegiate tennis career at the University of Virginia.
Huey captured eight career doubles titles with five different partners, including three ATP 500-level events at the Washington Open, Swiss Indoors and Mexican Open. On the grand slam stage, he posted his best result at the 2016 U.S. Open semifinals and also advanced to the quarterfinals at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
One of his career-best years on tour came in 2016 when he became the first Filipino to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals and also qualified for the ATP Finals alongside veteran Max Mirnyi. In an interview with ATPtour.com, Huey reflected on his career legacy.
It’s absolutely incredible. It’s a dream come true being back here. It was my dream all those years to make it here once, and I was able to in 2016, so to be invited here for a retirement ceremony with some of the other players I’ve looked up to and who became my colleagues over the years, it’s truly special.
Treat Huey
Who Did We Forget?
Did we leave anyone off the list? Leave a comment below or DM me on Twitter (@HanlonWalsh) if there are other doubles player retirements from 2023 that we didn’t include on the list.
Thanks for following along another great year covering the doubles tour in 2023!
Leave a Reply