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The 34-year-old Russian had not played on the WTA Tour since
2014 after failing to shake off a torn muscle in her shoulder
and a number of other injuries.
"Every time I tried to step it up and work towards a tour level,
my body would break down," she told the WTA website
(www.wtatennis.com).
"In order to play on the highest levels, you want just to focus
on the game and not on things that are bothering you physically.
"I made one last push ... but I've had this idea for some time.
I thought it's important to let everyone know that I'm finishing
up my professional career."
Petrova was part of the golden generation of Russian tennis in
the first decade of the century along with grand slam champions
Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anastasia Myskina as
well as Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva and former world
number one Dinara Safina.
Despite an all court game and booming serve, the powerful right
hander's career was blighted by injury which prevented her from
challenge her compatriots and contemporaries like Justine Henin,
Amelie Mauresmo and Kim Clijsters for top billing.
Petrova, who also reached a career high of world number three in
doubles, finished with 13 WTA singles and 24 WTA doubles titles.
She reached the singles semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2003 and
2005 as well as the doubles final at the U.S. Open in 2010 and
the French Open in 2012.
"I've been in tennis for so many years. I had a very long and
very good career," she added.
"I dealt with a lot of injuries, like most of us, but it's
important for me to finally turn the page in my book."
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Nick
Mulvenney)
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