BREAKING NEWS: SEN TenZ Announces His Retirement, Here's Why

It’s the end of an era, but not of a legacy. Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, one of the most iconic players in VALORANT, has announced his retirement from the competitive scene.

The news came on September 14, 2024, where the 23-year old Sentinel star uploaded a video on his X (formerly Twitter) account saying his farewell to competitive gaming and his ‘hello’s to content creation. The unexpected decision has made fans somber, but nevertheless hopeful and supportive of TenZ’ new beginnings.

I’m grateful for this incredible journey, and it’s time to start a new one.

Thank you for your support! pic.twitter.com/lfK4NUZF34

— TenZ (@TenZOfficial) September 14, 2024

Calling It Quits: TenZ Retires After a Successful Run

TenZ admitted that the decision did not come easy for him. He revealed that he had held onto his decision to shift careers since the start of 2024. According to him, he decided to keep it under wraps, as he didn’t want to end his career on a low note.

Keeping his decision secret allowed him to pour his heart and soul into the 2024 season, aiming for a great final competing year. This effort paid off with Sentinels’ victory at the 2024 VALORANT Masters Madrid.

A Turning Page: Factors to TenZ’ Career Shift

After four years in VALORANT, three of which he spent with Sentinels (SEN), TenZ is now off to a not-so-brand-new start as a content creator. He mentioned his desire to go full-time as the primary reason for his retirement. As he already is successful with his current streaming career, the VALORANT star described the transition as a “no-brainer”.

He explained that the time and effort that being a competitive gamer demands has taken much of his life. Additionally, TenZ considers professional play as something that “just kind of came at” him as he was grinding the game too much. He eventually decided to pursue what he had “always kind of wanted to be more of”: a Twitch streamer and content creator.

Four Golden Years: TenZ’ Journey in VALORANT

After the start of his pro gaming journey at Counter-Strike in 2017, TenZ in 2020 made a transition towards the VALORANT scene. From there, he went on to be known as one of the game’s top talents.

TenZ spent a year of his VALORANT career with Cloud9 before moving to Sentinels in March 2021. His time with Sentinels saw numerous achievements that cemented his name in VALORANT history. These include international victories at Masters Reykjavík 2021 and this year’s Masters in Madrid.

A Bittersweet Parting: What’s Next for TenZ and Sentinels?

TenZ first told his teammates about his decision before the team went to Seoul for Valorant Champions 2024. The remaining lineup consisting of Zachary “zekken” Patrone, Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro, and Amine “johnqt” Ouarid, will need to find a new player to join them for the 2025 season.

As of now, Sentinels have not announced any replacement for TenZ. Reports that speculate Gustavo “Sacy” Rossi who was in the roster for Masters Madrid will not be returning to Sentinels also complicates the team’s possible 2025 lineup.

While TenZ has officially stepped down from competing in tournaments, he is keeping the door open to sub for Sentinels if they ever need him. Fans will still see him as part of the organization, only this time as a streamer and content creator. TenZ assures the community that his retirement isn’t the end, but rather a path to a new chapter. He plans to create more content for fans throughout this new journey.

Conclusion: An Enduring Legacy

TenZ’ retirement is a definite shock to the VALORANT community, especially for fans who anticipated the return of his “peak” after Sentinel’s successful 2024 run. His stellar performance in what turned out to be his last year as a competitive VALORANT player can be said as the perfect way to end a career.

Stepping down from the pro gaming scene has left mixed-feelings, but ultimately a sense of fulfillment and pride in TenZ’ supporters. In his 4 years, he had made an indelible mark with his impressive marksmanship, amazing plays, gaming sense, and team coordination. TenZ leaves a lasting legacy and big shoes to fill for future VALORANT competitive gamers, opening doors for other, rising talents.

Stalingrad Dollosa

Stalingrad Dollosa is an award-winning esports journalist with over 5 years of experience covering the global competitive scene. Specializing in titles like Dota 2, CS2, and Mobile Legends, he combines deep game knowledge with a talent for storytelling and analysis. His work has earned industry recognition for its clarity, accuracy, and engaging style. Known for breaking key stories and delivering sharp tournament coverage, Stalingrad brings a professional, data-driven edge to every article. At Fragster, he continues to set the standard in esports reporting, offering fans expert insights and high-quality content that captures the pulse of the game.