Barnabe Zapata Miralles has announced that he is walking away from pro tennis at the age of 28, and the Spaniard is also apologizing to any player that he may have disrespected during his career.
Zapata Miralles, who turned pro in 2015, spent the first couple of years of his career on the ITF and Challenger Tours and won a total of 13 titles on the lower-tier. In 2022, the Spaniard enjoyed his breakout year as he reached the French Open round-of-16 as a qualifier. In 2023, he had his first full season on the main level and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 37 that year.
But shortly after, Zapata Miralles' form went downhill and he spent the last two seasons mainly competing on the Challenger this year. In mid-May, the former world No. 37 won an ITF tournament. In the rest of 2025, the 28-year-old lost his next 14 matches.
Zapata Miralles: I want to ask for forgiveness from all the people I have disrespected
"Dear friends, after some time to reflect, I want to let you know that I have decided to officially retire as a professional player," the Spaniard wrote on Instagram.
"I want to begin by asking for forgiveness. Forgiveness from all the people I have disrespected during these years. Tennis is very demanding and often pushes you to the limit. I think that many times I didn’t act correctly with the people around me. “I feel and know that I am still young, but after a lifetime of playing, I am no longer willing to continue making the sacrifice required to be an elite player. I don’t have the same hunger or the motivation that a player needs to improve day after day.”
Bernabe Zapata Miralles — the only player to take a set off Medvedev during his legendary Rome title run — announces retirement.
He also apologizes for his behavior which gives me an excuse to repost this: https://t.co/WgvWhtC506
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) December 16, 2025
En route to making the French Open round-of-16 in 2022, Zapata Miralles upset Taylor Fritz and John Isner before losing to Alexander Zverev.
