Melanie Oudin, who dazzled tennis fans across the world with her run to the 2009 US Open quarterfinals, has decided to step away from the game.
Oudin announced her retirement from tennis in a tweet to her fans Friday afternoon.
“My dream was always to play professional tennis at places like the US Open with the best of the world,” Oudin said via Twitter. “I have been lucky enough to live my dream for the last nine years, since I turned pro in 2008. Unfortunately, since the end of 2012, I have been struck with numerous health issues and injuries. I would work so hard to come back after being out, and then something else would happen. It has definitely taken a toll on me mentally and physically over the last five years or so.
“Competing with the best in the world requires your absolute best, and without being 100 percent mentally and physically, it is very difficult. After much thought, I have decided to make the difficult decision to retire from professional tennis.”
Oudin was just 17 years old and ranked No. 70 in the world when she upset world No. 4 and reigning gold medalist Elena Dementieva, 2006 US Open champion Maria Sharapova and No. 13 Nadia Petrova to reach the US Open quarterfinals. Two years later, she teamed with Jack Sock to win the US Open mixed doubles title for her lone Grand Slam crown.
In addition to her results at the Open, Oudin competed for the U.S. Fed Cup team on a number of occasions and won the WTA title in Bingmingham, England, in 2012.
Oudin reached a career-best ranking of No. 31 in 2009, when she also reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, and finished in the year-end Top 100 as recently as 2012. But she has been beset by injuries and illness since, including rhabdomyolysis, a muscle-damaging condition, and a heart arrhythmia.
“I fell in love with the game of tennis when I was 7 years old and it will always have a special place in my heart,” Oudin wrote. “I am sad to leave the sport I know and love, but I am very optimistic about what the future holds for me.”
