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Kiwi tennis star Marina Erakovic retires after career she describes as 'an incredible experience'

December 11, 2018
Marina Erakovic (NZL) during the ASB Classic WTA Womens Tournament Day 2. ASB Tennis Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 3 January 2017. ©Copyright Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz

New Zealand tennis player Marina Erakovic has called time on her career.

The 30-year-old confirmed she was retiring this morning after succumbing to a long-term back injury that had kept her from playing in the last 13 months.

"I am very proud to have been one of New Zealand's leading athletes, and to have represented my country," Erakovic said.

"Playing in 53 countries and visiting countless cities as the lone Kiwi tennis player has not been easy, but it has meant that I have had the fortune of making lifelong friends from every corner of the earth. This has truly been an incredible experience."

Erakovic, who turned professional in 2005, reached a career-high singles ranking of 39 in 2012 and 25th in doubles.

She also won one WTA singles title in Memphis in 2013 along with eight WTA doubles titles.

But a back injury has seen her absent from the court since November last year, seeing her world ranking plummet to 827th.

"In sport as in life, nothing is ever a smooth ride.

"Over the last few years my body struggled to handle the demands of tour life and it became too difficult to play at a level of which I am normally capable.

"I decided to give my mind and body a break this year and after a lot of recovery and reflection I have decided to put the racquets away."

Erakovic was born in Croatia before moving to New Zealand as a six-year-old with her family due to war going on in the then Yugoslavia.

With a racket in hand, she quickly began turning heads at the age of 14 when she became the first and only player in New Zealand history to win the 14s, 16s and 18s national championships in the same year.

A year later, she became the New Zealand No.1 and represented her new home in the Fed Cup.

She later went on to win junior doubles final at the US Open in 2004 while achieving a No.5 world ranking as a junior.

Erakovic said she's unsure what lies ahead for her.

"Tennis will always be a part of my life, but for now I want to step out of that world and experience new things," she said.

"Throughout my career I have been chipping away with my studies and so far I have completed two thirds of an economics degree through Massey University.

"I have one year left to go and I will be finishing this next year at the University of Auckland. After this, I am open to all new possibilities."

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