Kimiko Date still wanted to stay on the court and play the game she has always loved.
But her body will not allow her to do that anymore.
Speaking publicly for the first time since she announced her impending retirement from tennis on her blog late last month, Date said at a news conference at Ariake Colosseum on Thursday that her mental strength has not declined but her nagging knee and shoulder injuries would no longer let her play at the level she wanted to.