TenZ Announces Retirement from VALORANT Competitive Play: A Legendary Career Ends

One of the greatest to ever play VALORANT, Tyson "TenZ" Ngo, has announced his retirement from active competition. Known for his incredible aim, game sense, and his influential presence both in-game and as a content creator, TenZ’s decision marks the end of an era.

The Big Announcement

TenZ revealed his retirement on X (formerly Twitter), where Sentinels also paid tribute with a heartfelt video. The Canadian star, a household name in esports, stated that heading into 2024, he knew this would be his final year in competitive play. He has decided to step away from active competition but will still remain involved with Sentinels, continuing to create content and possibly acting as a substitute if needed.

A Look Back at TenZ’s Legacy

Before joining VALORANT, TenZ made waves in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS), showcasing his remarkable talent for FPS games. His skills transitioned effortlessly into Riot Games' VALORANT in 2020, where he became one of the most watched and celebrated players in the scene.

His journey with Cloud9 and then Sentinels brought countless memorable moments, including helping Sentinels secure a win at the first-ever international VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Masters Reykjavik tournament in 2021. He later added to his legacy by claiming the 2024 Masters Madrid trophy and a Top 4 finish at Champions Seoul.

He has been known for his amazing plays on Jett, Reyna and especially Omen in VCT 2024, earning him the name of a legend. A famous quote by a commentator in one of his first Pro matches, "It is his world and we are just living in it" has been approved by most Valorant fans as well. In one of his recent livestreams, Tenz explains that he was not planning to play the 2024 season, however Kyedae (his fiance) convinced him to not let his career end on a loss and give it one final shot in 2024, which is flawlessly did. 

What’s Next for TenZ?

Though he’s stepping away from the competitive stage, TenZ is not leaving the gaming world entirely. He will continue to produce content under the Sentinels banner and may still appear in future VALORANT events in a supportive or substitute role.

This retirement feels like a pivotal moment in esports history, marking the end of a thrilling chapter in both VALORANT and TenZ’s career, but leaving plenty of opportunities for the beloved pro in the future. Players are disheartened at the departure of a legend, but also wish him good luck on his future endeavors.