STARNBERG, May 17, 2017

Former World No. 10 Juan Mónaco announced Monday his retirement from professional tennis.

The 33-year-old Argentine turned pro in 2002 and captured nine ATP World Tour titles lifting the trophies in Kitzbühel, Pörtschach, Buenos Aires (all in 2007), Houston (2012 and 2016), Vina del Mar, Kuala Lumpur, Hamburg (all in 2012) and Düsseldorf (2013). Mónaco also clinched three doubles titles, most recently with his good friend Rafael Nadal in Doha 2015.

The Tandil native stated on his official facebook account:

Dear Friends, Dear fans;

Although it creates me a lot of nostalgia I am sure I am making the right decision. One wonderful and very important part of my life has arrived to the end.

I retire from professional tennis.

There are so many feelings that it is very difficult to write them down on a piece of paper.

Pride to have faced so many challenges during many years.

Thanks for what tennis gave to me: education, discipline, friendship and unforgettable moments.

Sadness because I will really miss the tennis courts.

Happiness to have had the chance to work in what I really loved since I was a kid.

Knowing that dedication, sacrifice, tenacity and compromise have always been my engine, I leave with the satisfaction to have given all I had and I want to let you know that I enjoyed until my last match.

Thanks to all of you for joining me in this wonderful trip which lasted 14 years.

Pico Mónaco