Rob Shaw, a wheelchair tennis player from North Bay, Ontario, is set to retire after participating in the Australian Open, according to an announcement by Tennis Canada on Tuesday. Throughout his career, the 36-year-old primarily competed in the quad division, which caters to players with a permanent physical disability leading to significant functional loss in one or both upper extremities and affecting at least three extremities.
Shaw boasts an impressive record of 54 ITF titles, with 25 in singles and 29 in doubles, making him the Canadian with the most combined titles. Notably, he clinched 10 titles at the Birmingham Nationals. Achieving a career-high ranking of No. 6 in singles and No. 3 in doubles in 2023, Shaw’s career highlights include breaking into the top eight in 2022, earning a spot in his first Grand Slam event at the U.S. Open, where he finished as the runner-up in doubles alongside American partner David Wagner. Subsequently, he secured two more second-place finishes in doubles at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in 2023, teaming up with Australia’s Heath Davidson.
On the international stage, Shaw’s accomplishments include winning gold in 2019 and silver in 2023 at the Para Pan American Games. He also competed in the Paralympic Games in 2021 and 2024, reaching the quarterfinals in singles play.
Shaw is scheduled to kick off his 11th and final Grand Slam tournament on January 27. Following his retirement, he will transition to a part-time role as the Wheelchair Tennis high-performance consultant at Tennis Canada.