Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has retired from tennis at the age of 29, the Serbian said on Facebook on Wednesday.
"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.
"Don't be sad, be optimistic alongside me. My love and my greatest thank you to all of you," said the former world number one in a statement posted on her Twitter profile (See left).
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 spent 12 weeks as world number one in 2008 and won 15 career singles titles.
She reached the French Open semi-final in 2015 and was runner-up at Roland Garros in 2007 and at the 2008 Australian Open.
Ivanovic, who married Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger earlier this year, said she will explore opportunities in business, beauty and fashion in retirement.
She said the retirement will allow her more time for her work with Unicef, with whom she holds the position of National Ambassador for Serbia.
