Former British number one Elena Baltacha has announced her retirement from professional tennis with immediate effect.
The 30-year-old, who broke into the world's top 50 in 2010, is currently ranked 216th in the WTA rankings.
Baltacha ends her career having won 11 ITF titles, while she also represented Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics.
"It just feels it's the right time" Baltacha told the LTA's official website. "My body has taken such a bruising over the last 16 years and that's finally taken its toll.
"I have had some amazing experiences through playing tennis - some incredible highs and some very low lows - and I wouldn't change any of them but now my mind and my body are telling me it's time to move on to a new phase of my life."
Baltacha reached the third round of the Australian Open twice (2005 and 2010) as well as the third round of Wimbledon (2002).
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
