Gonzalez to retire

Former world number five Fernando Gonzalez will retire after the Miami Masters in March.

Chilean to hang up racket after Miami Masters

Former world number five Fernando Gonzalez will retire after the Miami Masters in March. Gonzalez, 31, has struggled for fitness since hip surgery in 2010, dropping down the rankings to number 268. The Chilean picked up 11 ATP Tour titles and reached the Australian Open final in 2007. He has also won three Olympic medals, gold in doubles and bronze in singles at Athens in 2004 and silver in singles at Beijing four years ago. "These have been very hard months for me, during which I realised I don't have the energy I need nor am I prepared to do all I have to do to be where I want to be," Gonzalez said. "I'm retiring from professional tennis but I want to remain close to tennis... After mourning the end of my career there will be nothing better than to work in my foundation (developing the game in Chile)." He added: "I had great times. There's the Australian Open final (lost to Roger Federer), the two Olympic Games. I've always been struck by the thrill of the crowds, it's something you don't forget."