The 30-year-old, Former British number one Elena Baltacha who won 11 singles titles, reached the third round of Wimbledon in 2002 and the same stage of the Australian Open, in 2005 and 2010, has shocked people with her retirement from tennis with immediate effect.

"My body has taken such a bruising over the last 16 years and that's finally taken its toll," she said.

"I have had some amazing experiences through playing tennis - some incredible highs and some very low lows - and I wouldn't change any of them but now my mind and my body are telling me it's time to move on to a new phase of my life."

She was once diagnosed at the age of 19 with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver condition which compromises the immune system.

This didnt stop her from enjoying a successful career, which representing Great Britain for 12 consecutive years in the Fed Cup and competing at the London 2012 Olympics.

Baltacha is now planning to dedicate her life for coaching and developing the academy she founded in 2012 with her coach Nino Severino. 

Comments