Berdych retires

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Tomas Berdych confirmed on Saturday at the Association of Tennis Professionals 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.

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 US 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.”