Former World No. 1, Dinara Safina of Russia, appears to be calling it quits for her tennis career, according to her older brother, Marat Safin.
“Dinara was injured two years ago, in Beijing, remember?” Safin was quoted by Russian Eurosport as saying at a press conference in Beijing, where he was promoting a match against Pete Sampras. “She left, but never recovered completely. She tried to return, but only aggravated the crisis. Now she needs to keep her back to be able to walk normally and live a normal life.
She is currently ranked No. 130, and last played at the Madrid Open in Spain May 4, 2011, losing to Julia Georges of Germany 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
She reached the Final of the Australian Open in 2009, and the French Open in 2008 and 2009, and reached the World No. 1 ranking April 20, 2009, but failed to win a Grand Slam during her 11-year pro career.