Former No. 1 Carlos Moya retires at the age of 34 due to a recurring foot injury. The 1998 French Open champion, who fought back tears in a Madrid press conference, was the first Spaniard to grab the top spot in March of 1999.
He last played at the Madrid Masters in May, when he lost to Benjamin Becker in the first round. He’s been troubled by foot, ankle, shoulder and hip injuries since 2005.
Moya won 20 career titles, including 1998 Roland Garros, when he stopped his close friend Alex Corretja for the crown. He also reached the final of the final of the 1997 Australian Open, where he fell to Pete Sampras, and the semifinals of the 1998 US Open.
In 2004, he led Spain to the Davis Cup title in Sevilla when he beat Americans Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick in his singles matches.
"I wanted to say goodbye at some of the big tournaments, the Grand Slams, but that dream wasn't to be," said Moya. "I am still young for life but for sport I am already knocking on a bit.”
Moya’s fellow Spaniards were full of praise for him. His fellow Mallorcan, Rafa Nadal said: “He’s a pioneer and deserves grand recognition. He’s won major tournaments, the Davis Cup, and has contributed a lot to Spanish sport.”
Nadal’s uncle and coach Toni added, “He began an era [for Spanish tennis]. He played very well on hard courts when it seemed impossible to do for a Spanish player. In his own way he changed a bit of the mentality of the game, showing that Spain could be good not only on clay, but also on hard surfaces.”
Moya said that his immediate plans were to rest and spend time with his partner, the actress Carolina Cerezuela, and their baby daughter Carla, who was born in August.