TOKYO: Former world doubles champion Ai Sugiyama of Japan expressed mixed feelings after returning from her penultimate tournament at the US Open on Friday.

The 34-year-old Sugiyama, who announced her retirement last week, told reporters that she has "many mixed feelings" as she has played tennis for 30 years.

"I cannot imagine a life without tennis. I feel sad, forlorn. It will be a completely different life after the retirement. I can stay in Japan for a long time. I can still enjoy tennis," she said.

"I still have one more tournament to go. Probably when I finish my last match, I can express my feelings better."

During her career, Sugiyama won three doubles titles in Grand Slam events and has been a singles quarter-finalist in the 2000 Australian Open and at Wimbledon in 2004.

Sugiyama said her "passion" for tennis kept her playing for 17 years, while her physical strength, training and care for her body allowed her to continue without having a big injury.

"It is hard to keep playing, because a season is long... From January to November, and you must travel from one country to another every time. You must keep working hard to always show a good performance," she said, adding that the physical strain prompted her decision to retire.

Before her retirement, she will compete in the two-million dollar Pan Pacific Open from September 27 in Tokyo, where the current top 30 players will play.

hf/elw

AFP 111315 SEP 09

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