Tennis: Doubles ace hanging up his racquet

Australian Todd Woodbridge, one of the most successful doubles players, yesterday announced his retirement from the men's doubles tour.

The 34-year-old won nine Wimbledon men's doubles titles, five with compatriot Mark Woodforde and four with Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman.

Woodbridge and his partner Mahesh Bhupathi lost in the second round at Wimbledon this year, though he is through to the mixed doubles quarter-finals with Australian Samantha Stosur.

"Things didn't work out according to plan," Woodbridge said.

"I didn't even come to this tournament planning to retire. But I felt I had so many good, strong memories here, it was the right place to do it and the right time in my career to do it."

Woodbridge will play for Australia against Argentina in the Davis Cup quarter-finals next month.

"I had to make an announcement because we are getting ready to play the quarter-finals," Woodbridge said.

"I felt it was unfair to sort of sit on the fence for a few more days for them.

"They certainly need to be clear on what they've got to do."

- REUTERS