Although news of Tomas Berdych’s impending retirement broke earlier in the week, the Czech has today officially confirmed his decision to call time on his playing career.

The 34-year-old, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2010, has been struggling with a back injury since June 2018, while he was hampered by a hip problem during September’s US Open – his final Grand Slam appearance.

His showing at the All England Club nine years ago was the closest the former world No. 4 came to lifting silverware at a Grand Slam. Having beaten top seed Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the quarter and semi-finals respectively, Rafael Nadal proved a bridge too far.

Berdych, who won 13 Tour-level singles titles, also twice made the last four at the Australian Open, in 2014 and 2015, while he enjoyed runs to the semi-finals of Roland Garros in 2010 and the US Open two years later.

While Grand Slam glory remained out of reach, he proved himself a consistent performer during his 17-year professional career, finishing within the world's Top 10 for seven consecutive seasons between 2010 and 2016. 

Trophy-winning success, however, was more forthcoming in Davis Cup as Berdych helped Czech Republic to back-to-back tournament triumphs in 2012 and 2013.

He returned win-loss records in singles and doubles of 10-1 in 2012 and 7-1 in 2013 as the Czechs cleared the respective final hurdles of Spain on the home soil of Prague and Serbia in Belgrade.

After 13 years of loyal service to his country, Berdych announced his retirement from Davis Cup duty in February 2018 having made his competition debut in 2003.

“One of the most beautiful chapters is over,” he said at the time. “I’m truly happy that I was part of the Czech team that has won Davis Cup twice.

“I started to play for the Czech team in 2003 and played 29 Davis Cup ties but now, when I’m 32, I have reached the point when it’s impossible for me to perform at the highest level without proper rest. Davis Cup has been an unforgettable experience for me.”

Berdych jointly holds the record for the most doubles wins in Czech Davis Cup history, tying with Jan Kodes on 21. He was also part of the most successful Czech doubles team in the competition alongside Radek Stepanek, with the pair posting a 16-2 win-loss record together.