All the sports stars retiring in 2025, those weighing up their options, and those playing on
Geraint Thomas has said 2025 will be his final year in the professional cycling peloton – becoming one of the first big names to announce their retirement this year.
It could be a bumper year for sports stars announcing their retirement, with question marks surrounding the future of Novak Djokovic, Tiger Woods and more.
But perhaps, as 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo signing a new contract shows, some things never change in sport and some old pros might be around for a while yet.
Here are some of those who are rumoured to be retiring this year.
Which sports stars are retiring in 2025?
Simona Halep announces her retirement
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She said: âItâs a beautiful thing. I became world No 1, I won grand slams, itâs all I wanted. Life goes on, there is life after tennis.â
Tyson Fury lost a world title bid in January
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Fury called it a day after losing to Oleksandr Usyk. But the Gypsy King has retired multiple times before and always returned to the ring.
Geraint Thomas riding the Giro last year
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Tour de France winner in 2018, the Welsh cyclist also has two Olympic golds and will pedal on for one final season in 2025.
Thomas is now 38 and has no definitive plans for whatâs next but says he has been âwarned off Strictlyâ by his family.
Chris Froome is one of cyclingâs all-time greats
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The four-time Tour-winning cyclist has previously suggested that 2025 will be his last year.
Belgian rally driver Thierry Neuville may not compete beyond 2025
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Novak Djokovic, with his wife and children, and Venusâs sister Serena Williams
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Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams
Two tennis greats who are getting on in years, Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams have both faced questions about their future but are set to play on at least in 2025.
Travis Kelce will have more time to spend with Taylor Swift if he retires
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Taylor Swiftâs boyfriend played as tight end as his Kansas City Chiefs side lost the Super Bowl earlier this month.
Back for more? Simone Biles has not ruled out LA â28
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The US gymnast somewhat literally bounced back in 2024 to win vault gold at the Olympics and said she was retiring from the event, but not yet her sport.
âNever say never,â Biles said in Paris. âNext Olympics are at home. So you just never know. I am getting really old.â
Tiger Woods is set to play on
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The American has not won a major tournament since, but even in his late 40s, he remains a force and has not committed to retiring from golf.
âIâll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event,â he said last year.
Eliud Kipchoge wins the Berlin Marathon in 2022
AP
Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele
The Kenyan has said this will not be the end but his long-time Ethiopian rival Bekele (who beat him to gold way back in Athens 2004) has been quiet since Paris 2024.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will race on
Reuters
Fernando Alonso and Sir Lewis Hamilton
His former teammate and long-time rival Sir Lewis Hamilton, 40, also has a deal until at least the end of 2026 after signing for Ferrari.
Ronaldo is still captain of Portugal
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Ronaldo is apparently happy to keep pushing his body for ÂŁ167.9million (and who wouldnât be?) with his sights set on the 2026 World Cup.
Kazuyoshi Miura celebrates his birthday with Yokohama fans in 2020
AFP/Getty Images
The worldâs oldest active professional footballer will turn 58 on February 26 but is still playing in his native Japan, having scored goals in Italy, Croatia and Brazil in a lengthy career.
Miura, who featured in the original Fifa 1996 video game, will play for Japan Football League (JFL) side Suzuka from March in the new season.
