Carlos Moya forced to retire with foot injury
Spanish player Carlos Moya, once the world number one, has been forced to retire from tennis after spending 15 years on the ATP Tour.
Moya, who has been plagued by a problem with his right foot since last year, announced his retirement in Madrid on Wednesday 17 November after doctors failed to cure the injury.
"That day has come," the 34-year-old admitted at a press conference before confirming that he will play his last professional match at the Spanish Masters Cup in December. "I don't want to picture that moment [as] when I [will] play my last match. It is
true that I'm young for life, but for sport I am a little bit old."
Rose to prominence in the 1990's
After beginning his career in 1995, Moya lost the 1997 Australian Open final to Pete Sampras before winning his only Grand Slam title at the French Open the year after.
In 1999, the Spaniard topped the ATP Rankings after finishing as runner-up at the Indian Wells Masters.
His injury problems began later that year when a back injury prevented him from completing he season and kept him out of action for parts of 2000.
"My success all came in the last century," Moya said at the press conference, adding that he couldn't bow out in the way he had originally intended. "I wanted to say goodbye at one of the big tournaments, the Grand Slams, but that dream wasn't to be."
Moya's last competitive game came at the Madrid Open in May, where he was forced to an early exit by German player Benjamin Becker.
"I got to the Madrid [Open] tournament and I still wasn't 100 per cent. I realised with that match that the moment had arrived."
Moya will be in attendance when the ATP World Tour Finals start at London's O2 Arena on Sunday 21 November.
The Spanish Masters Cup gets under way on 9 December.
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