Former ‘French Open champion’ Ana Ivanovic has announced her retirement from professional tennis last night. The 29-year-old tennis player won only 15 matches this year, she had not played any match after the US Open in August because of her wrist and toe injuries.
Ivanovic announced her retirement through a video which she posted on Facebook. In the video, while addressing to her fans she said, “There is no other way to say this. I have decided to retire from professional tennis. It was a difficult decision but there is so much to celebrate.”
“Don’t be sad, be optimistic alongside me. My love and my greatest thank you to all,” She added.
The video was released on her Facebook page on this Wednesday. Tennis star also added that she no longer feels fit enough to compete at great levels.
“I played so many memorable matches. But staying at those heights in any professional sport requires top physical form and it’s well-known that I have been suffering for quite a long time from my injuries,” Ivanovic said.
“I am so excited about what comes next. I will become an ambassador of sport and healthy life and will also explore opportunities in business, beauty, and fashion, among other endeavors,” Ivanovic added.
Ivanovic became the first Serbian woman to win a grand slam tournament after beating Russian finalist Dinara Safina in 2008 French Open final.
Ivanovic in the video said, “I began dreaming about tennis when I was five, My dear parents supported me all the way and by the time I became world No 1 and won Roland Garros in 2008, I have seen the heights I never dreamt of achieving.”
After winning French Open, Ana secured the 1st position on WTA world rankings but she occupied the top spot only for nine weeks and fall to 22nd by the end of 2009.
Ivanovic returned to top five in 2014 and reached French Open semi-finals in 2015 but her position slipped to 63rd this year after losing a match to the Czech player Denisa Allertova in the US Open’s first round, her final match on the WTA tour.
After suffering a fifth straight loss in the opening round of the US Open in August, Ivanovic made up her mind to retire from tennis.
