Ljubicic hangs up his racket

Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic finally hung up his racket after his first-round exit at the Monte Carlo Masters.

It was not the farewell to the game Ljubicic, one of the most popular and respected figures on the tour, would have wanted - he was hammered 6-0 6-3 by young compatriot Ivan Dodig.

The Monte Carlo-based veteran, 33, had previously announced that the event in the principality would be his last hurrah in the sport.

"It was a tough day for me, on the court and off," said an emotional Ljubicic. "I had my mind everywhere else except on the tennis court. Obviously I'm completely out of shape. I don't even think it makes any sense to talk about the match today.

"I have to say that I felt like it could end up emotionally but I didn't expect these big emotions really. It's the end of something beautiful for me. It's been 20 years and now it's time to do something else."

Dodig said: "This is the first time that I'm not happy to have won the match. I'm happy and proud that I played against such a good player who made history, especially for the Croatian people and Croatian tennis. I'm happy that I played him in his last match, not because I won it."

Ljubicic, a former Player Council head and ATP board member in 2008-2009, could still find himself involved in the sport if he chooses to pursue the European seat on the ATP board which is due to become vacant later this year.