In a surprising and emotional announcement, Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, one of Valorant’s most iconic players, revealed his decision to retire from competitive play.
On September 15, 2024, the Sentinels star shared the news with his fans through an emotional video in which he expressed his plans for the future.
TenZ retires from pro play
TenZ revealed that he made the decision to step away from the competitive scene earlier this year. His focus will now shift toward content creation.
Sen Tenz’s career impact on Valorant competitive scene
TenZ began his esports career as a Counter-Strike professional in 2017 before transitioning to Valorant in 2020, where he quickly rose to become one of the game’s most iconic players.
“I’m glad we were able to win in some capacity this year, for my closure year,” said TenZ.
Before Sentinels traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for Valorant Champions 2024, TenZ revealed to his teammates in person that it would be his final year in competitive play.
He explained that being a pro player demands significant time and effort, preventing him from fully pursuing his goal of becoming a full-time content creator.
Throughout the year, TenZ remained focused on being the best player and teammate he could be. Over his four-year Valorant career, he secured two international trophies.
Together with the 2021 Sentinels roster—featuring Shahzeeb “ShahZaM” Khan, Hunter “SicK” Mims, Jared “zombs” Gitlin, and Michael “dapr” Gulino—TenZ lifted the Masters Reykjavik trophy, the first international Valorant LAN hosted by Riot Games, after defeating Fnatic 3-0 in the grand final in Iceland.
His next major victory came in 2024, when the updated Sentinels roster, which included Zachary “zekken” Patrone, Gustavo “Sacy” Rossi, Amine “johnqt” Ouarid, and Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro, won Masters Madrid. Sentinels claimed a 3-2 victory over Gen.G Esports in the grand final in Spain.
“I’m just glad to leave my mark in Valorant history and to be remembered for that,” TenZ reflected.
He also expressed pride in becoming a role model for aspiring young players, sharing that he once looked up to Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek during his own rise as a young Counter-Strike talent.
TenZ’s retirement marks the end of an era for both TenZ and Valorant’s competitive scene, where he was not only a star but also the face of the game, helping shape the competitive landscape.
This decision leaves a lasting legacy for the Valorant community, as TenZ remains an integral part of the game’s history.
While fans will no longer see him competing in tournaments, TenZ expressed excitement about producing more content, reassuring his community that this isn’t the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter.
As of now, Sentinels have yet to announce his replacement for the upcoming Valorant season. For now, the community is just shocked to hear words TenZ retired.
You can watch TenZ’s announcement below.
READ MORE: TenZ compares 2021 and 2024 Sentinels rosters, gives his verdict on who’s better
