Belgian tennis player Xavier Malisse has officially ended his professional career earlier than expected after he lost his opening round match at an ATP Challenger event in Mons, Belgium.
The 33-year old posted his best Grand Slam singles result at the Wimbledon Championships in 2002 where he lost to eventual runner-up David Nalbandian of Argentina.
“I liked the pressure of the game but I’m also relieved,” Malisse said after he lost the opening round match to Sergiy Stakhovsky in straight sets earlier this month. “Now I’m going to relax with my family and friends. It is hard to leave but we have to stop one day.”
Malisse’s career-high ranking was number 19. He’s reached at least the fourth round of the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. He announced previously that he will be retiring after the Australian Open 2014 tournament.
