Swede Joachim Johansson retires at the age of 25

Swedish former top 10 player Joachim Johansson announced his retirement from international competition on Friday at the age of just 25, citing his recurrent shoulder injuries as the reason.

"There is no other option than to quit," Johansson told the Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet's Web site (www.svd.se).

"The doctors have said that nothing except a very long period of rest will work and long rest will not work for what I have intended to do and the goals I set up to achieve."

"During the last month I underwent all kinds of examinations and the doctors say not even another operation will help me," added Johansson, whose last major appearance was playing for Sweden in their semi-final loss to the United States in the Davis Cup in September.

The 1.98-metres tall Johansson, tipped by many as Sweden's next big thing in tennis, was briefly ranked ninth in the world three years ago.

He reached the U.S Open semi-finals in 2004 by beating American Andy Roddick in five sets, before bowing out to Australia's Lleyton Hewitt.

He won three ATP tournaments, Memphis in 2004 and Adelaide and Marseille in 2005, but his hard-serving style of play took its toll on his shoulder.

He played just three tournaments last year and was out for long periods in 2005 and 2006.