I'm maining Ret for years and it's been always the case with the spec.
We're always a sub par spec both in PvP and PvE (except the early half of WoTLK expansion and one mid-Pandaria PvP season). Nothing new; not taken to raids, not taken to Rated Battlegrounds, not taken to 2vs2 and now - not wanted in M+.
I wonder, how long Blizzard devs are going to continue mocking Ret Paladins?
A lot of people love Rets and even consider them main class / spec choice because this true "hero class" is appealing and fulfills a "warrior of Light" fantasy concept so well. However, we're always kept maximum in the middle or in the end of both PvP and PvE food chain for unknown reasons... as if Blizzard devs don't want players who love this particular spec, to fully enjoy it!
Look at mages, locks, for example. Almost always at the top, both in PvP and PvE. Same with rogues. Ok, these are pure DPS classes, you say. How about hybrid Balance Druids? Druids have 4 specs, yet Balance is always one of first choice specs in Rated BGs, raids, dungeons, etc. Shadow Priests? Etc? ...
P.S. It might sound funny but one of the problems people are leaving / stopping playing WoW is the everlasting bad condition of RET PALADINS. Cause a LOT of people actually main one.
If we were made a TOP spec at least for ONE PATCH, first time since WoTLK (it's been almost 10 years!), I would bet a lot of players gonna make a comeback. What was most played WoW expac? WoTLK? Maybe this is exactly the reason why.