‘Is this lifestyle what I want?’ Jocelyn Rae retires from tennis aged 26

‘There’s no doubt that the wear and tear on the body has played a part in this decision’

Scottish doubles specialist Jocelyn Rae has retired at the age of 26.

Rae made 17 Fed Cup appearances during her career but will now focus on coaching and charity work.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have played tennis across the world and experienced so much through the sport. The sport has given me many opportunities and I have met the most incredible people along the way,” Rae said in a statement.

“Being on the tour can be a gruelling place, but I feel that now is the right time for me to take a step back and spend more time at home with my friends and family and I’m really looking forward to it.

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“There’s no doubt that the wear and tear on the body has played a part in this decision, but I’m excited for the next chapter in my tennis career, and I’m already enjoying giving back to the sport that has given me so much.”

Rae played at all four grand slams during her career, while she won gold for Scotland in the mixed doubles with Colin Fleming at the 2010 Commonweath Games in Delhi.

“I have thought about it on and off for a while,” she told BBC East Midlands Today. “I think most professional athletes have it in the back of the mind: ‘Is this lifestyle what I want?’”