Ana Ivanovic Calls Time On Tennis Career At 29

By Okeowo Oladapo

Former world number one and 2008 French Open champion, Ana Ivanovic, has announced her retirement.

The 29-year old made this announcement yesterday via a Facebook post.

“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,” Ivanovic said on her Facebook page. “Don’t be sad, be optimistic alongside me. My love and my greatest thank you to all of you.”

She blamed poor health and her inability to compete at the top level, saying she has to move on now that she cannot play at her own high standards. The Serb has been out with injury since August and dropped to 63 in the world rankings, having won just 15 matches in 2016 – the most recent in June.

Ivanovic, who married German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger earlier this year, is the first Serbian woman to win a grand slam and only one of two Serbs ever alongside Novak Djokovic.

Ana Ivanovic Career File

Age: 29

Career record: 480-225 (15-8 in finals)

Career titles: 15 (One Grand Slam: the French Open)

Duration as World Number One: 12 Weeks

In the concluding part of the Facebook post, she 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 endeavours.”

“Beyond that, who knows? All I can say is that I have lived my dreams and really hope to have helped others do so as well.”