BUENOS AIRES – David Nalbandian, the 2002 Wimbledon finalist who caused an uproar a decade later by injuring a line judge at another tournament, retired from professional tennis Tuesday because of a shoulder injury.

The 31-year-old Argentine player described it as a “difficult day,” but told a news conference that he was “super grateful” to his sport.

Saying his shoulder did not “respond well” to treatment, Nalbandian concluded: “I cannot compete.”

Nalbandian spent 13 years on the ATP tour, reaching No. 3 in the rankings in 2006 and spending five consecutive years in the top 10. He reached at least the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments, losing to Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the 2002 final at Wimbledon.

Before Wimbledon in 2012, Nalbandian was disqualified and fined after a line judge was hurt when the player kicked an advertising board during the final at the Queen’s Club grass-court tuneup tournament. A piece of the barrier hit the judge’s left shin, drawing blood. Nalbandian lost nearly $70,000.