PARIS, FRANCE – Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder announced today that she is retiring from professional tennis and ending her highly successful 17-year career. Winner of 11 WTA singles titles, Schnyder achieved Top 10 ranking success, and was ranked as high as World No.7. She was ranked in the Top 10 for a total of 94 weeks.
“It’s time to close this amazing chapter of my life,” said Schnyder. “This very emotional decision makes me thankful and proud of all the moments I have been able to share on and off the court with fans from all over the world and with the champions and legends from many decades.”
“Patty has displayed excellence and leadership both on and off the court for many years,” said Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO of the WTA. “She has been a great ambassador for women’s tennis and made an important contribution to the growth of the sport as a long-time member of the Players’ Council. Patty will be truly missed by her fellow players and the fans. We wish her the best of luck and hope that she remains close to the women’s game.”
Schnyder turned professional in 1994 and won her first WTA title in 1998 at Hobart. She holds a career win-loss record of 552-361 and has reached 27 career WTA finals, winning her most prestigious title in 2002 at Zurich, defeating Lindsay Davenport in the final.
This year’s Roland Garros marks Schnyder’s 59th career Grand Slam appearance, sixth on the all-time list of Grand Slam participants in the Open Era. She achieved her greatest Grand Slam result at the 2004 Australian Open by reaching the semifinals, losing to Kim Clijsters. Schnyder is a six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist. One of the most consistent players over the last decade, Schnyder was ranked in the year-end top 50 for the last 14 years.
Schnyder qualified for the season-ending WTA Championships on three occasions – in 1998, 2002 and 2005. Honoring her home country of Switzerland, Schnyder contested 37 Fed Cup ties and helped her home team reach their only final appearance to date in 1998. The Swiss standout also represented her country in three Olympic Games in Atlanta, Athens and Beijing.
