VALENCIA, April 15: Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez retired on Saturday to end an 18-year singles career in tennis.

Martinez, who won Wimbledon in 1994 when she defeated nine-time winner Martina Navratilova, said at a press conference at the Valencia Tennis Club that she may still play doubles.

Martinez said a left heel injury had been one of the main reasons she had retired.

''But I've taken this decision with my head not with my heart, and I think I have to be happy because from now on I will be able to dedicate my time to other things.''

Martinez, a finalist at the 1998 Australian and the 2000 French Open, won the Federation Cup with Spain in 1991, '93, '94, '95 and '98.

She also won three Olympic medals _ silver in doubles at Barcelona in 1992 and Athens in 2004, and bronze in singles at Atlanta in 1996.—AP