She may be retiring from playing tennis, but Monica Puig is going nowhere – both in terms of remaining within the game and the power of her legacy, which will continue to transcend generations.

Puig, who reached a career-high No. 27 in the WTA rankings in 2016, has confirmed her retirement at the age of 28, citing a string of injuries and subsequent surgeries for the heart-wrenching decision.

She will be forever remembered for her historic and mesmerising triumph at the 2016 Olympic Games, when she defied all the odds to seal gold in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

It was the first Olympic gold medal won by an athlete representing Puerto Rico and included a string of spellbinding victories against Grand Slam champions Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber.

He exploits in Rio catapulted her to superstardom and, in turn, ensured that Puerto Rico and the wider COTECC (Central American and Caribbean Tennis Confederation) region would forever have an Olympic heroine and an aspirational figure for others to emulate.

“A reference” is how Cecilia Ancalmo, the ITF’s Development Officer for Central America, put it moments after Puig announced her retirement. Ancalmo was speaking from a 12-and-under team competition in her region – the participants, no doubt inspired by Puig.

“Very important in Puerto Rico is the strength of the Olympic Movement and Monica Puig winning gold in the women’s singles at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has had a major impact throughout the country,” said Ancalmo.

“On a personal level, I met Monica when she was 14 and I was so impressed by the level of professionalism she had at that age. She was already very determined to become a top professional player.

“She was always so friendly with the fans and would always allow pictures to be taken and give autographs. She was always so welcoming with fans, and she had plenty – and still does.

“I always remember at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla – I was there as the International Technical Delegate for Tennis – there were always more fans there for Monica than anyone else, even the Colombians.

“Like I say, she has had a major impact throughout the country and while there have been other big players from the island, the COTECC region certainly has someone who is a reference for the players coming after her.”

While Olympic gold ultimately defines Puig’s career, she also claimed a WTA title at Strasbourg, France in 2014 and amassed more than $3.5m in prize money. Her best Grand Slam result, meanwhile, was reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2013.

Sadly, elbow and shoulder injuries derailed her career in recent years, with a further surgery on her shoulder in late 2020 ensuring her 2021 campaign was a write off. It also put paid to her hopes of mounting an Olympic title defence.

She made a fleeting return at the Madrid Open in April, where she lost in the first round to Danielle Collins of the USA, while she retired during the opening set of her first-round showdown with France’s Fiona Ferro at a $125k event in Saint Malo in May.

Puig has not played since and was in the ESPN commentary box during Roland Garros, where she will be seen – and indeed heard – more often from now on, while she also intends to pursue developmental roles within tennis.

“Over the past 28 years of my life, tennis has been my constant,” said Puig. “It has given me some of the most thrilling and memorable experiences I could have ever asked for. But, sometimes, good things come to an end.

“The decision to retire isn’t an easy one because I would’ve loved to have retired on my own terms, but sometimes life has other plans and we have to open new doors that lead to exciting possibilities.

“I would love to announce that I will be very much active in the tennis world as a new full-time member of the ESPN family, along with branching out into many other sports that I am passionate about.

“I will also be exploring consulting roles for young, up and coming tennis players, as well as with programs and academies.”

With the abiding image of Puig draped, teary-eyed, within the Puerto Rican flag, it is somewhat fitting that the final words of her retirement speech were reserved for the nation of her birth.

“Puerto Rico, thank you for always supporting me,” she added. “For being my strength and my home. Thank you for bringing me so much joy and love.

“Listening to our anthem on the podium for the first time in history with a gold medal will always be the most beautiful memory of my life and career. Thank you, tennis. You have been everything. I owe you my life.”

Happy retirement, Monica. Thank you for the memories.