Marina Erakovic has retired as a tennis player, finally succumbing to a long-term back injury.

The 30-year-old made the announcement on Tuesday, 13 months after her last match.

Throughout her career, she flew the New Zealand flag alone in singles and reached a career high ranking of 39 in the world in 2012 - and 25th in doubles - while not always getting the recognition she deserved at home for achieving so much in a truly global sport.

GETTY IMAGES Marina Erakovic reached 39 in the world in singles and 25 in doubles.

​Erakovic won one WTA singles title, in Memphis in 2013, and eight WTA doubles titles.

READ MORE

* Marina Erakovic overrides retirement thoughts for another crack

* The Mad Era Marina Erakovic makes music on the WTA Tour

* Marina Erakovic in form but ranking to plummet

"I am very proud to have been one of New Zealand's leading athletes, and to have represented my country," Erakovic said.

"Playing in 53 countries and visiting countless cities as the lone Kiwi tennis player has not been easy, but it has meant that I have had the fortune of making lifelong friends from every corner of the earth. This has truly been an incredible experience.

"In sport as in life, nothing is ever a smooth ride.

"Over the last few years my body struggled to handle the demands of tour life and it became too difficult to play at a level of which I am normally capable.

"I decided to give my mind and body a break this year and after a lot of recovery and reflection I have decided to put the racquets away.

"A career in sport is impossible to achieve without the support, guidance and constant reassurance of family and friends," she added.

"My Mum and Dad, Liliana and Mladen, sister Julia and late grandmother Dragica put their own lives on hold so that I could succeed, and for that I am forever grateful."

Steve Simon, the WTA CEO and chairman, paid tribute to Erakovic and all she achieved.

"Marina's positive impact on the WTA during her career was felt not just on the court, with an incredible nine titles, but also off the court," Simon said.

"As an elected member of the WTA Players' Council for four years, she dedicated her efforts to serving the WTA athlete body from 2015 to 2018 and will leave professional tennis as a much-respected ambassador for the sport."

CRAIG SIMCOX/STUFF Back in 2005 it was already apparent that Marina Erakovic was destined for great things.

Born in Split, Croatia, she emigrated to New Zealand as a six-year-old with her family, because of the troubles in what was then known as Yugoslavia.

Her talent quickly shone through on a tennis court, at the age of 14 she became the only player to win the 14s, 16s and 18s New Zealand championships in the same year.

She became the New Zealand No 1 at 15 and also represented the country in the Fed Cup that year.

Later as a junior she reached the final of the girls doubles at Wimbledon and won the junior final at the US Open and reached No 5 in the world as a junior.

Moving onto the WTA circuit, she made national headlines by defeating top seed and world No 22 Vera Zvonareva in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic, when she was ranked 153 in the world.

There were many ups and downs throughout her career from then on, but she'll go down as one of this country's greatest players.

Erakovic is uncertain about what lies ahead for her, but she does want to finally finish her university degree.

"Tennis will always be a part of my life, but for now I want to step out of that world and experience new things," she said.

"Throughout my career I have been chipping away with my studies and so far I have completed two thirds of an economics degree through Massey University.

"I have one year left to go and I will be finishing this next year at the University of Auckland. After this, I am open to all new possibilities."