Australian ace Pat Rafter, runner-up to Pete Sampras at Wimbledon only last July, has said he will quit the tennis circuit at the end of this season and turn his mind and energy to charity and environmental issues.
The 28-year-old, a double US Open champion, reached the world number onespot two years ago, but after battling a serious shoulder injury he will go into next week's Australian Open at 15th in the rankings.
"I've got other things to do in my life," he told said. "It's time for me to go on to the next stage of my life."
Rafter is not ruling out a return to the sport at some stage, however.
"I'd never say 'I'm definitely going to retire'. I don't want to do that and feel like I want to come back and play again. I want to keep my options open - but I've had enough.
"For me to play well I have to train very hard and I'm just sick and tired of getting up out of bed feeling sore, getting up saying 'I don't want to do this'.
"Tennis has been great. It's been my life, probably will always be my life and I really don't know what I'd like to do after tennis. I want to give it one more good year and have fun and enjoy myself."
The charity work is already under way. Rafter and his sister Louise founded the Patrick Rafter Cherish the Children Foundation two years ago to help combat the problem of drug abuse. - PA