Veteran Berdych walks from the game

WIMBLEDON finalist and former world No.1 runner-up Tomas Berdych has announced his retirement from tennis after a 17-year professional career.

The 34-year-old Berdych confirmed the decision during a ceremony at the ATP Finals in London on Saturday to honour several players that have retired in 2019.

The other players were David Ferrer, Marcos Baghdatis, Nicolas Almagro, Mikhail Youzhny, Max Mirnyi, Radek Stepanek, Marcin Matkowski and Victor Estrella Burgos.

Berdych said his body no longer allows him to compete at the highest level after struggling with a back injury for much of the last 18 months.

The two-time Davis Cup champ said he made the decision after losing in the first round of the US Open in August. He has not played since and his ranking is 103rd.

“I said, ‘ OK that’s it. That’s enough.’ In terms of just my body doesn’t allow me to do so, and it’s very unpredictable,” Berdych said.

“There is no real point to continue.”

The Czech said the highlight of his career was reaching the 2010 Wimbledon final, beating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic along the way before losing to Rafael Nadal.

“Even the final that I lost, it was a very, very special moment,” he said.

He reached the semi-finals at least once at each of the other three grand slams and earned 13 career titles, including the 2005 Paris Masters.

Berdych said he had no plans for his retirement.