Nalbandian announces retirement from ATP

BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- David Nalbandian, who was ranked as high as No. 3 in the world, has announced his retirement from the ATP World Tour.

Nalbandian, 31 from Argentina, said a shoulder injury led to his decision to withdraw from competitive tennis.

"I can play matches but my shoulder won't let me continue my career," he said at a news conference Monday in Buenos Aires. "I can't play like that at a [professional] level.

"It's tough because I have to announce my retirement from the sport that gave me so much. I'm very grateful."

Nalbandian won 11 ATP tournaments in his career and reached a No. 3 ranking in March 2006. His most recent title came in August 2010 at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington. He's been in three finals since then, including a lose to Rafael Nadal in the title match at the Brazil Open in February.

He played in the finals at Wimbledon in 2002, losing to Lleyton Hewitt, and was a Grand Slam semifinalist four other times.

Nalbandian helped Argentina reached the Davis Cup finals in 2004, '08 and '11 but finished as the runner-up each time.