By Chris Soderstrom
Former World No. 8 Alicia Molik announced her immediate retirement from tennis yesterday following a string of injuries over the past three years.
An Olympic bronze medallist, Molik struggled with injuries including a debilitating inner-ear infection in 2005. When trying to resurrect her career Molik was struck down again but with arm and knee problems.
“It’s tiring and it’s very draining but I guess it’s a number of things culminating,” the 27-year-old told The Age newspaper. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking. I did have a huge setback three years ago, with my middle ear problem.”
“It took a while to get back and since then I’ve just struggled with a few more things that I never imagined would come along the way.”
The South Australian won five singles titles and seven in the doubles, including both the Australian and French Opens.
“I think I’m still young enough to focus my energies on something that I feel is again challenging.”