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MADRID — Former French Open champion Carlos Moya retired from tennis Wednesday, ending a 15-year career because of a nagging foot injury.
The former No. 1 said differing medical opinions on resolving the lingering right foot injury had left him with little option but to retire.
"It's not how I dreamt of ending my career," the 34-year-old Spaniard said during an emotional news conference.
Moya said he knew it was time after his last match, a 6-0, 6-2 loss to Benjamin Becker at the Madrid Masters in May.
"I wanted to play the big tournaments and say goodbye, but I got to the Madrid tournament and I still wasn't 100 percent, but motivation pushed me on," Moya said. "But I realized with that match that the moment had arrived."
Moya won 20 ATP titles, including the 1998 French Open. He lost to Pete Sampras in the 1997 Australian Open final. His last victory came in Croatia in 2007.
Moya was also member of Spain's 2004 Davis Cup-winning team and he was an early training partner of Rafael Nadal. Both hail from the island of Mallorca.
Former players Manolo Santana, Albert Costa and Carlos Costa were all on hand for the announcement.
"I'll keep on with my gym in Mallorca. I have a sports business and I'll dedicate more time to my wife, my daughter and my family (now)," Moya said of his future. "I'll definitely miss tennis, however."
