Ana Ivanovic reveals retirement came before she lost love for tennis

Ana Ivanovic felt she had to retire before love for tennis disappeared

Former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic has admitted she quit tennis before she started to "despise" the sport.

The 29-year-old, whose sole Grand Slam success came at the 2008 French Open, announced her retirement earlier this week after years of battling against a variety of injuries.

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But Ivanovic told The Times she had reached a position where she felt unfit to carry on at the top of the sport, both physically and mentally.

"The last few years have been a struggle with injury," Ivanovic said.

"It was always a fight coming back and so much work on the court, off the court, and then not sometimes being in the best shape.

"For me, the IPTL (International Premier Tennis League who hosted events in Singapore and India recently) was a last test.

"I didn't have the feeling in my body and in my heart that I should push more.

Ivanovic's last matches came in the IPTL (Credit: Photo Concierge/Ella Ling)

"It's never easy to step back from something you love, but I wanted it to remain my love rather than something that I have to do or end up despising because it hurt."

Ivanovic's break from tennis looks like being a complete one as coaching does not appeal to her.

Ivanovic and Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger were married in July

"I do not have ambitions of coming back as a coach," said Ivanovic, who married Manchester United and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger in July.

"I'm really happy with the career I've had. Now it's time to try different things."

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