By Chris Oddo | Wednesday December 28, 2016
Ana Ivanovic has announced her retirement from tennis. The 29-year-old, a former Roland Garros champion and two-time Grand Slam runner-up, won 15 titles and amassed a lifetime record of 480-225 in her career.
Ivanovic broke the news on Facebook Live. “There is no other way to say it,” Ivanovic said. “I have decided to retire from professional tennis. It has been a difficult decision but there is so much to celebrate.”
Ivanovic climbed to the No.1 ranking in June of 2008, and remained there for nine weeks. She finished with a total of 12 weeks at No.1, tying her with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario for 19th all-time.
“It’s well-known that I’ve been hampered by injuries,” Ivanovic said. “I can only play if I can perform up to my own high standards, and I can no longer do that. So it’s time to move on.”
Ivanovic married German football star Bastian Schweinsteiger in July.
She last made a dent at a major when she reached the semifinals at Roland Garros in 2015. In 2016 she finished 15-16, losing her last five matches and not playing beyond the U.S .Open.
The Serb says she will continue being an ambassador for tennis and plans to continue with philanthropic endeavors, including her work with Unicef.
“Don’t be sad,” Ivanovic said at the end of her message to fans. “Be optimistic alongside me."