“I want to say thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given me in all the years I have played this wonderful game,” Ram wrote. “I did not make this decision lightly. In the end, after considering the fact of how much toll it takes to play both singles and doubles, and also that I want to further my doubles career for many years to come, it seems like the obvious choice.”
Ram, now ranked No. 237, reached a career-high of No. 56 in singles just last year. He reached the second round of a major five times in 17 tries. But his greatest singles memories take the University of Illinois alumnus back to Newport.
“I especially want to thank Todd Martin and the entire staff at the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open for allowing me to play singles once more at a place where I have so many great memories as a player,” said Ram, a wildcard at this year’s event. “To be able to win two titles on tour and compete in all four major events multiple times are memories that will last forever for me.”
Now, Ram will turn his focus to the doubles court, where he has thrived most during the course of his career. The 33-year-old won a silver medal in Rio alongside Venus Williams, and has reached two semifinals and six quarterfinals in men’s doubles at the Slams. In that discipline, he has won 13 tour-level titles including taking home the trophy last week in Newport.
