BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian of Argentina has announced his retirement from professional tennis due to a shoulder injury.
During a 13-year career, he spent five consecutive seasons in the top 10, reaching as high as number three in 2006. He was the runner-up at Wimbledon in 2002, losing to Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, and reached the semifinals or better at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
At a press conference in Buenos Aires, the 31-year-old Nalbandian said it was a "difficult day" and that he was "super grateful" to the sport of tennis.
"The shoulder does not respond well. I cannot compete at ATP level," he continued.
This year he has played only 11 times, including a run to the final at a clay tournament in Brazil, and his current rank is 231. His most recent of 11 career singles titles came in 2010 in Washington, D.C.