Former top 30 player Aleksandra Wozniak has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 31.
The Montreal-born player made the announcement after being hampered by injuries during the later part of her career as she underwent surgery on her right shoulder. In May she launched a GoFundMe campaign to help gain some financial support whilst playing on the tour. Wozniak was last in the top 100 back in August 2014.
“The past few years have been challenging with all of the injuries, but I always continued to fight because I was still passionate about my sport,” Wozniak said in a statement published on Tennis Canada.
“Today, I love tennis just as much, but due to my injuries, my body is no longer able to perform at 100%. It is time for me to turn the page. I took the time to think carefully before making this decision.”
Despite her misfortunes in recent years, Wozniak remains one of Canada’s best female tennis player in the Open Era. She has been ranked as high as 21st in the world back in 2009 and has scored four wins over top 10 players. Including Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova. Her sole WTA title was at the 2008 Stanford Open where she defeated Marion Bartoli in the final. Wozniak played in 27 grand slam main draws with her best run being to the fourth round of the 2009 French Open.
It is perhaps in the Fed Cup where the 31-year-old will be best remembered. The Canadian has represented her country in a record 31 ties and has won a total of 40 matches (including 32 in singles). Making Wozniak the most sucessful Canadian player in Fed Cup history.
“I am now ready to live new experiences. I don’t know what awaits me, but I would love to be able to give back to my sport, since it has given me so much over the years.”
Wozniak, who made her tour debut back in 2005, played her final competitive match back in April. At an ITF $25,000 event in Jackson, Mississippi she crashed out in the second round.
