Seles calls time on tennis career

Seles has not played a competitive match since 2003

Former world number one Monica Seles has announced her official retirement from tennis.

The 34-year-old won nine Grand Slam singles titles in her career, but has not played competitively since June 2003 because of a foot injury.

Seles won her first Grand Slam title in 1990 at the age of just 16 and topped the world rankings the following year.

In a horrifying event in April 1993 she was stabbed on court in Germany and spent 28 months away from the sport.

After returning in 1995 Seles managed to win one final Grand Slam title, the Australian Open in 1996, finishing with a major haul of four Australian, three French and two US Open titles.

Monica Seles is one of the great champions in the history of the WTA Tour Larry Scott, WTA Tour chief executive

"Tennis has been and will always be a huge part of my life," said Seles.

"I have for some time considered a return to professional play, but I have now decided not to pursue that."

She added: "I will continue to play exhibitions, participate in charity events, promote the sport, but will no longer plan my schedule around the tour.

"I look forward to pursuing other opportunities with the same passion and energy that fuelled my dedication to tennis and to devote more time to two of my passions - children and animals.

"I especially want to thank all my wonderful, loyal fans for all of their support for me over the years.

"They have inspired me throughout my career in the good times and comforted me in the bad times.

606: DEBATE Give us your thoughts on the career of Monica Seles

"I will miss them all as much as I will miss competing in the game of tennis."

Larry Scott, chief executive of the WTA Tour, said: "Monica Seles is one of the great champions in the history of the WTA Tour.

"She is an inspiration and role model for millions of fans throughout the world."

The native Yugoslav became an American citizen in 1994 and talked of a comeback just last year after spending over four years out of the sport.

"I certainly would not ever be able to do a full schedule again, because of the foot," she said in 2007.

"But I'm thinking about the Slams and about some of the better tournaments that lead into them."