Sanchez-Vicario's farewell marks end of era for Spain

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario's decision to call time on her career a few weeks shy of her 31st birthday will deprive women's tennis of one of its most popular figures and mark the end of an era in Spanish sport.

Over 17 years in the professional ranks, Sanchez-Vicario won four Grand Slam singles titles, helped Spain to five Fed Cup victories, represented her country at four Olympics, winning four medals, and for a time in 1995 was the world's number one.

Her record makes her undeniably Spain's greatest ever sportswoman and she gained for her country the sort of international success and respect previously only known by the likes of cycling great Miguel Indurain, golf's Seve Ballesteros and in tennis Manolo Santana.

"This is the farewell of the greatest Spanish sportsperson in history," Spain's Tennis Federation chief Agustin Pujol said on Tuesday.

"I give her thanks for everything she's done for the sport."

Sports minister Juan Antonio Gomez-Angulo added: "She has been one of the most exceptional sportspeople in Spanish history. She has broadcast the name of Spain throughout the world."

Sanchez-Vicario grew up playing tennis at the Pedralbes club in Barcelona and her brothers Emilio and Javier also became professionals.

A powerful hitter from the back of the court and blessed with quick wit and extraordinary determination, she was quick to make her mark, reaching the quarter-finals on her first appearance at Roland Garros in 1987.

FIRST SLAM

Two years later, at the age of just 17, she won the tournament, her victory over Steffi Graf in the final capturing the hearts of the Spanish public with a display of skill and conviction.

She won Roland Garros again in 1994 and 1998 but she proved she was far more than just a baseline battler with her performances elsewhere.

In 1994, she also won the U.S. Open title, again with victory over Graf, and she reached the final at Wimbledon twice, falling each time to her great German rival.

Her third French Open title in 1998 was her last Grand Slam success but there was plenty more to celebrate as she helped Spain to a fifth Fed Cup win and was then awarded the Principe de Asturias prize, Spain's top international honour.

She scored a memorable victory over Venus Williams in the French Open in 2000, as she battled her way through to the semi-finals, but the following year she was affected by the break-up of her marriage and made an early exit.

Retirement began to seem inevitable this season as she missed Wimbledon due to exhaustion and failed to make it past the first round in the three other Grand Slams.

There was a chance for a last hurrah as she helped Spain through to the Fed Cup final this year but there was to be no sixth title as, hampered by a thigh injury, she was beaten by Janette Husarova in what was her 100th match in the competition.

FED CUP

Despite that disappointment she was able to finish with further records for most matches won in Fed Cup, 72, and most ties played, 58.

She will be impossible for Spain to replace.

Her Fed Cup partner and fellow 30-year-old Conchita Martinez is the country's top ranked player at 34 in the world but while there are plenty of talented players among the next generation only the 23-year-old Magui Serna is in the top 50.

The idea has already been floated by Spain's tennis Federation that Sanchez-Vicario should eventually take over as Fed Cup captain.

"Thanks, but right now I just want to enjoy my private life," she said on Tuesday. "It's time for me to dedicate some time to myself."

Captaining the Fed Cup team would be a fitting role for a player who did so much to boost Spain's international standing but for the moment she is clearly looking forward to a spot of relaxation.

No one in Spanish sport has earned it more.