NEW YORK, Aug 23: Briton Tim Henman said on Thursday he will retire from the sport after the Davis Cup world group playoff against Croatia next month.

In a press conference at Flushing Meadows, where he will play in the US Open next week, the Englishman said persistent back problems had convinced him it was the right time to quit.

“I’d officially like to say that I am going to be retiring after the Davis Cup against Croatia at Wimbledon,” said Henman, who reached a world ranking high of four in 2002.

Henman, 33 on Sept 6, was forced to pull out of this week’s ATP event in New Haven. He has won just three ATP Tour matches this year and his world ranking has fallen to 92.—Reuters