Rusedski makes dramatic and tearful exit from the game

The man who left his native Canada to swear allegiance to the British flag 13 years ago departed the game as a winner and on his terms on a crusade for his adopted country.

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Rusedski, 33, had kept his plans secret from all but his closest family. His English wife Lucy, baby daughter Scarlet and parents Tom and Helen, who had flown to England from their home in Toronto, watched proudly from courtside seats as Rusedski was afforded a heartfelt, standing ovation by a 7,700 capacity crowd in Hall 5 at the NEC in Birmingham.

"It's time to move on in my life," said Rusedski, fighting hard to check his tears as he closed a chapter of his life on live television.

Just minutes earlier Rusedski had partnered Jamie Murray, the older half of the Murray dynasty that represents the future of British tennis, to victory over Robin Haase and Rogier Wassen to give Britain a conclusive 3-0 lead over Holland in the Davis Cup group tie.

Team captain John Lloyd now awaits Wednesday's draw to discover Britain's opponents for a promotion play-off tie in September, a match offering the winners a passport back to the elite 16-nation World Group.

But the journey will be undertaken without Rusedski. Appropriately, he established a milestone to carry with him into retirement as his appearance in Birmingham yesterday meant he had played for Britain for a record 13th year in succession.

Rusedski, a man bedevilled by injury for much of the past six months, was known to be playing on borrowed time. He had fought aching bones, and the forces of nature, to place himself at the disposal of Lloyd this weekend by training daily for four hours a day since January. Privately, he had already taken the decision that he would be hanging up his racket in Birmingham. Publicly, he kept his counsel until yesterday.

"I wanted to play one more tie at home," said Rusedski. "I have known since January that I was going to retire here, but I didn't want to announce my intentions because I thought that would detract from the team."

The first Lloyd or Jamie Murray knew was the moment Rusedski, with theatrical timing, squeezed a backhand volley crosscourt to give Britain a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory over the Dutch.

Lloyd said: "I thought Greg might have wanted to carry on until September, but what better way to go out? We'll miss him."

In his career, Rusedski scaled all but the highest peaks; and he plunged the depths of despair. He played in the final of the 1997 US Open, losing to Pat Rafter, and he rose to No 4 in the world. In total, he won 15 tournaments.

But three years ago his world was poisoned by the allegation that he had failed a drugs test. He was accused of having an excess of nandrolone, a banned steroid.

Rusedski vigorously protested his innocence.

He invested heavily in mounting a defence and David Lloyd, a former British Davis Cup captain, spoke in his defence.The episode would have drained the lifeblood from a lot of men. But Rusedski, with the support of his wife and parents, never wilted. Ultimately, his name was cleared.

Last night Rusedski admitted: "I think a lot of people had written me into retirement. But I'm stubborn — and I knew I had done nothing wrong. I went on to win another couple of tournaments — and I'm proud of that."

Yesterday he made his exit from the game in style.

"You know when your time is up," he explained. "You can't play tennis at 80 per cent. You have to give 100 per cent and I have always done that. I know the work it takes and the sacrifices that have to be made. There was no more for me to give."

His game was built around one of the fiercest serves seen in tennis. At his peak he hit a 149mph ace at a tournament in Indian Wells in 1998. And for year after year, Britain's prosperity in the Davis Cup depended on a two-man team called Rusedski and Tim Henman. Regrettably, they never quite managed to win a match in the World Group.

But with the arrival of Andy Murray, No 11 in the world, and his brother Jamie, No 44 in doubles, the landscape for British tennis has never looked healthier.

Rusedski smiled and said wryly: "I just wish Andy and Jamie had come along five years ago!"

For Rusedski the hard yards, and the endless hours on court and in the gym,will soon become a distant memory. He will consider a working brief in television, make himself available to work with young British players and view opportunities in business.

But those who greeted his arrival the opportunism of a man smelling the main chance will have had cause to review their position last night as Rusedski left the game with the roar of a grateful audience tracking him into retirement, due reward for a man who served his adopted country with distinction until the very end.