Mauresmo retires from tennis at age 30

Former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo has retired. The Frenchwoman, whose international profile was controversially shaped at the 1999 Australian Open, bowed out last night after struggling to find "the desire to compete again."

Mauresmo, 30, won two grand slam singles titles in 2006 - the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

The fragile right-hander endured a rough introduction to international sport 10 years ago when, as a 19-year-old.

But, over time, the athletic all-courter became one of the most popular players of her generation.

"I came here to announce the end of my career. I made this decision after careful consideration," she said.

"I don't want to train anymore. I had to make a decision, which became evident in the last few months and weeks.

"When you grow older, it's more difficult to stay at the top.

"It's a bit sad, but this is the right decision.

"I was lucky enough to have an exceptional career and to experience very strong feelings on the court.

"I dreamt of this career, I dreamt of winning a grand slam title. I lifted trophies in every city in the world and I lived 10 magical and unbelievable years."

Mauresmo rose to No. 1 in September, 2004.

She suffered a bitter-sweet Australian Open victory in January, 2006, when Belgian Justine Henin retired mid-match, denying Mauresmo the pleasure of winning the final point of the match.

Her Wimbledon victory six months later - also against Henin - was the high point of her career.

Illness and injury cut Mauresmo's effectiveness in 2007, when she took time to recover from an appendectomy.

She emerged from a long winless streak by claiming the Paris Open in February, but it was her last hurrah.

Her final match was a 6-4 6-0 flogging from Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak in the second round of the US Open in September.

"It became very hard in the build-up to the US Open," Mauresmo said.

"If I were able to enter the court, play and shine, of course I could continue, but to achieve this you need to put in such hard work. And I'm not capable of that."

Mauresmo won 25 singles titles and retired while still ranked a respectable 21st in the world.

Her retirement means there will be a slight adjustment of seeds for the 2010 Australian Open next month.