Bjorkman playing his 15th and last Wimbledon

The 36-year-old Swedish player issued a statement saying he planned to retire some time after the Beijing Olympics.

Jonas Bjorkman has decided his 15th Wimbledon campaign will be his last.

The 36-year-old Swedish player issued a statement on Monday, hours before the grass court championship began, saying he planned to retire some time after the Beijing Olympics.

Bjorkman played his first Grand Slam tournament at the 1993 U.S. Open and twice reached the semifinals at majors: at Wimbledon in 2006 and at the U.S. Open in 1997.

Story continues below this ad

“I’ve been reflecting on my professional career and I have decided that this will be my last Wimbledon,” Bjorkman said.

“I now feel it is time to begin the next chapter of my life, being at home with my family and pursuing other interests.”

Bjorkman said he was proud of a career that included Davis Cup titles with Sweden in 1994, ’97 and ’98, reaching a career-high No. 4 in singles and No. 1 in doubles and ‘playing the Wimbledon semifinal at the age of 34’.

He won nine Grand Slam doubles titles, including three straight at Wimbledon from 2002-04 with Australian Todd Woodbridge.

Story continues below this ad

“I have been blessed with a long and successful career and I look forward to another great experience here at Wimbledon, for my last time as a competitor,” Bjorkman said.

“I also look forward to the rest of my 2008 season, which hopefully will include the Olympic Games in Bejing. It would be the most incredible way to finish my career if I could win a medal for Sweden.”