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She made the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2008 and the US Open quarter-finals in 2012, winning 15 WTA titles in all.
She posted a Facebook video tonight, saying: “I can only play if I can perform up to my own high standards and I can no longer do that, so it’s time to move on.”
That came 24 hours after she sent social media buzzing with a huge retirement hint on Facebook.
She said then: “My dear fans & supporters. Pls tune in to my Facebook page tomorrow at 6pm UK time, where I’ll be sharing something important with you live.”
Ivanovic saw her tennis career dip after her highs of 2007 and especially 2008Getty ImagesSerbian star Ana Ivanovic is retiring from tennis after winning 15 WTA titlesGetty ImagesFormer world No 1 Ivanovic is married to Germany and Man Utd midfielder Bastian SchweinsteigerGetty Images
Ivanovic has particularly struggled this year.
The last of her 15 victories in 2016 came in June while she has slipped to 63rd in the world rankings.
Aftr losing her fifth match in a row at the US Open in August she claimed retirement was not in her thoughts.
She said at the time: “I just need to really see why is this happening.
“I had struggles throughout my career. I had some tough times. This is not the first time I’m going through this. It just hurts because I know what I invested.”
Ivanovic was for a long time a rival to top players like Maria Sharapova but seemed to lack their staying powerEFEIvanovic has slipped down the world rankings and seems to have accepted she would not challenge the elite againReutersIvanovic, seen celebrating a victory at the AEGON Classic in Birmingham in 2014, has seen her form crash this yearGetty Images
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