SA tennis star hangs up his racket 'indefinitely'

South Africa's former Wimbledon doubles champion Wesley Moodie is to stop playing tennis to focus on family commitments.

The 32-year-old doubles specialist, who is currently ranked at No. 43 on the world rankings, stopped short of announcing his retirement, just stating "I have made no plans to play".

Moodie has found himself in the centre of the usual tug of war between his dedication to the sport and the needs of his family. 

“I've had so many memorable moments on tour, but, the last year has been exceptionally difficult to maintain a balance between family life and tennis," he said in a statement issued by the SA Tennis Association (SATA).

"I feel that I have given everything I have to tennis and I no longer have anything left to give.

"The trophies I won have been fantastic, but as my children grow up, the trophies have seemed to become less important every day and the hunger for new trophies and titles has disappeared.

"I also have some on-going problems, such as my left knee, which ended my singles career in 2008. Without the dedication and time that I previously had, it has also started to flare up again.”

Moodie has been ranked as high as No. 8 in doubles , in August 2009, and No.57 in singles, in October 2005.

Undoubtedly the highlight of his career was his Wimbledon doubles victory in 2005 with Australian Steven Huss.

The unseeded pairing decimated all the seeded teams to win the title.

He has won six doubles titles and made the final on seven other occasions.

His biggest successes have come with Huss, Jeff Coetzee and Dick Norman.

Moodie’s lone singles title came in Tokyo in 2005.

On his way to the title Moodie beat Mikhael Youzhny, Radek Stepanek and Mario Ancic in the final.

SA Davis Cup Captain, John Laffnie De Jager confirmed that Moodie would not be considered for the SA team to play Croatia in Potchefstroom in September.

“I need to make sure I have a fit and ready team to face the Croatians. I have had a long discussion with Wesley and he has confirmed he will not be playing the US summer circuit including the US Open so won’t be in any form to give of his best in the crucial upcoming Tie.”

SATA CEO Ian Smith praised Moodie. "We can only hope that he will reignite his need for the game and continue his career.

"However, should he decide to retire, we at SATA wish him and his family all the best for the future and hope that he will find some other ways to ensure that his experience will not be lost to South African tennis.”