Ana Ivanovic has retired from tennis at the age of 29, citing her recent injury record as the reason for her deciding to "move on" from her dream.
The Serbian player, who won her only Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2008, confirmed the news on Wednesday and revealed that her inability to match the heights of recent years due to injury is the main reason for her deciding to retire from her "love".
"I have some big news I want to share with you," she said during a live Facebook video on Wednesday evening. "I haven't announced it anywhere else because I think you deserve to hear it first.
"There is no other way to say this: I have decided to retire from professional tennis. It has been a difficult decision but there is so much to celebrate.
"I began dreaming about tennis when I was five when I saw Monica Seles play on TV. My dear parents backed me all the way and, by the time I was ranked number one in the world, I've seen the heights I've never dreamt of achieving.
"I won 15 WTA tour titles, three Grand Slam finals, Fed Cup finals and I played so many memorable matches - I would say not so badly for a girl from Serbia!
"But seeing those heights in any professional sports field requires top physical form and it is well known I have been hampered by injuries.
"So for myself and for all my fans and all these young girls and boys who might be watching me, I can only play if I can perform to my own high standards.
"I can no longer do that so it's time to move on."
Ivanovic, who married Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger earlier this year, went on to tell fans her plans for the future which includes starting new business ventures and acting as an ambassador for sports and fitness.
"But to what? Tennis has always been my love but I'm so excited about what comes next. I will become an ambassador for sport and leading a healthy life and look at opportunities in business, beauty and fashion among other endeavours.
![](https://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2016/12/28/18/ivanovic.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
"I will also have more time for my philanthropic activities including my work with Unicef. Beyond that, who knows?
"All that I can say is that I have lived my dreams and I really hope to help others do so as well. So don't be sad. Be optimistic alongside me.
"My love and my greatest thank you to all of you who have helped me live the greatest life so far."
![](https://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2016/12/28/18/ivanovic-0.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
Ivanovic experienced a difficult past year after slipping to a world ranking of 63 after winning 15 matches, the last of which came in June.
But she will be able to reflect on taking number one status in 2008 following a year that saw her come runner up in the Australian Open final and then win the French Open
MORE ABOUT