http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4047821.stm

Monica Seles says she is likely to retire if she is unable to play at the start of the 2005 season.

"By January, I will make a decision. If I can't play then I probably will (retire)," the 30-year-old told the Sarasota Herald Tribune. "I'm trying to get ready to play. I don't want to talk about retirement because I'm still trying so hard."

The nine-times Grand Slam champion has been out of action since June 2003 because of a foot injury. She has had to abort several comebacks because of setbacks in her recovery, but she remains positive that the injury is healing.

"I am trying to stay in a positive frame of mind," Seles said. "I have been feeling good. I have been hitting in the morning and then in the afternoon about three times a week. It is feeling better."

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I thought she already had retired! This story proves that she must still have the fire buring inside. I'd have thought she could happily retire for the rest of her life with the money she made over the years. It's quite inspiring really. Kafelnikov is another one that seems to have faded away without announcing retirement. I heard that he's getting into playing poker rather than tennis these days!