TORONTO — Vasek Pospisil carries an enduring lesson instilled by his father: giving up is never on the table. This principle has been his guiding light, leading him through the exhilarating highs and turbulent lows of a remarkable career that reached its conclusion on Sunday evening with a brave three-set battle.
Playing as a wild-card entry on Centre Court during the first round of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, Pospisil faced off against Argentinian qualifier Facundo Bagnis, ultimately falling 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.
Before the event kicked off, the British Columbia star made it known that the NBO would mark the last chapter of his professional tennis journey. Early in the match against Bagnis, it appeared as though the finale might arrive sooner than expected for the 35-year-old. Grappling with persistent groin issues, Pospisil strained a leg muscle in the fifth game of the opening set, struggling to move effectively and even stepping off the court to seek medical help.
At that moment, a two-set loss felt like the most optimistic outcome for Pospisil. Worst-case scenarios loomed as he faced the possibility of having to withdraw from his final career match altogether, having participated in only his third match of 2025.
Yet, with his father—a constant advocate for resilience—among the crowd, Pospisil electrified the audience by fighting back to clinch the second set. He even generated a buzz by breaking Bagnis in the eighth game of the final set, though he eventually succumbed in the match.
Visibly touched by a video tribute celebrating his storied career that played after the match, Pospisil struggled to hold back tears when mentioning his family. He expressed deep gratitude to his older brothers for their protective nature, honored his mother, Mila, as “the cornerstone of our family,” and echoed once more the mantra his father and longtime coach, Milos, instilled in him: A Pospisil never quit.
“That’s the motto I’ve lived my life by,” Pospisil shared with the audience, a mix of pride and emotion evident in his voice as his parents wiped away tears.
Perhaps this is why, as the flood of emotions receded, Pospisil felt an overwhelming sense of peace with his decision. He poured everything he had into the sport and left no stone unturned on the court.
“I’m genuinely relieved, to be honest,” he remarked with a light chuckle during the post-match press conference. “I wasn’t quite sure how I’d feel afterward, but now that it’s done, I’m thrilled it’s behind me.”
Reflecting on his legacy, Pospisil’s 15 years in professional tennis are marked by incredible achievements and a steadfast commitment to representing Canada. As a remarkable doubles player, he and American Jack Sock lifted the trophy at Wimbledon in 2014. The following year saw him attain his best singles performance at a major, reaching the quarterfinals at the All England Club.
Debuting at the NBO in 2010, Pospisil teamed up with fellow Canadian Milos Raonic to take down global stars Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Three years later, he reached the semifinals in Montreal, meeting Raonic once more in 2013.
His national pride shone through as he represented Canada in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, with perhaps his pinnacle achievement being part of the Canadian team that won the country’s first and only Davis Cup in 2022.
“What’s the point of this sport if you’re not competing for your country?” Pospisil questioned. “I just don’t get players who shy away from the Davis Cup or the Olympics. How much success or money can one person chase? It’s a no-brainer to play for your country; it enriches everyone.”
Although Pospisil retains a passion for tennis, it’s clear he’s ready for a new chapter. He envisions helping young players, especially those who lack resources, but he has no desire to dive back into a demanding role within the sport right after retirement.
“Do I want to stay in tennis full-time? Not at all,” he articulated. “I have mixed feelings about this sport. It’s physically and mentally draining, and eventually, you hit a wall. At least I did.”
This sentiment partly explains why Pospisil would have been content to retire well before taking the court one last time at the NBO. Still, he wanted to share this final experience with a special group of people who have been instrumental in his journey.
“I wanted my parents to witness my last match,” he shared. “I didn’t want to just fade away. This has been a family journey, and they sacrificed so much for me. My dad dedicated 15 years to coaching me after quitting his job. In many ways, this was just as much his journey as it was mine.
“Not that I didn’t want to play here. It truly is special. But I wanted to perform one last time in front of them.”
He certainly gave them one last reason to beam with pride.
