Tomas Berdych: 2010 Wimbledon finalist announces retirement

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in action against Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France in the Men's Semi-Final match during the Open Sud de France Tennis Tournament at the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier, France, February 9, 2019. / VCG Photo

Tomas Berdych confirmed on Saturday at the ATP Finals in London that he was retiring 17 years after turning professional.

The Czech world number 103 won 13 titles, reaching a career-high of fourth in the rankings in 2015.

Berdych, 34, was a top-10 player from July 2010 until October 2016 but has struggled with a back injury over the past two seasons.

He never won a Grand Slam title, coming closest at Wimbledon in 2010, where he beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic before losing to Rafael Nadal in the final.

Tomas Berdych celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic in the 2010 Wimbledon Men's Semi-Final. / VCG Photo

Together with Radek Stepanek, he led the Czech Republic to Davis Cup wins in 2012 and 2013.

Berdych said he had decided to stop playing soon after this year's U.S. Open.

He said the highlight of his career was reaching the Wimbledon final.

"I was in the finals in Wimbledon in 2010 beating Djokovic, Federer, before losing to Nadal," he said. "I won a Masters in Bercy (Paris). And two Davis Cups.

"Maybe strange, but I would say the Wimbledon. Not the win - not the victory at the end, but for me, still, like, very, very special moment. Even the final that I lost, it was very, very special moment."

Source(s): AFP