Shanghai - Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman marked the end of his career at age 36 as he and partner Kevin Ullyett bowed out in doubles at the Masters Cup to Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski of Poland 6-2, 1-6, 10-6 on Friday.

The round-robin loss put and end to the career of Bjorkman, winner of all four Grand Slams - with four different partners - as well as 15 Masters titles among his 54 career doubles trophies.

The Monte Carlo-based father of two cited his Davis Cup titles with Sweden in 1997 and 1998 as highlight moments of a standout career.

"Winning the Davis Cup was something that was huge to be part of, I was very proud to be representing my country.

"And to win the Stockholm Open, to win at home, is always something that you dream about. Winning the 2004 Wimbledon doubles titles with Todd Woodbridge. It's the most prestigious tournament you can play, to be part of.

"To win that is (also) something that I will remember well."

The Swede said that departing the game is bittersweet. "I still think it's great to end my career in the biggest event of the year, even if I would have liked to have gone further.

"I've been mentally prepared for this because I'm mentally very ready to retire. I've been very fortunate to be able to play for so long.

"It started as my hobby, and I've been able to do it for 17 years, which is great. I'm really looking forward for the next step in life."

Bjorkman praised his final partner Ullyett, with whom he won Stockholm and Paris over the past six weeks in the closing stretch of a career which also netted six ATP singles titles.

"We've played great the last six months, it's been such a great time playing with him.

"Unfortunately we came up short today. But I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll be ready to look forward to the new future."

One of the projects on Bjorkman's plate may be mixing with the media. As titular head of the Swedish tennis magazine, he might start soon getting down in the trenches.

And he added jokingly: "I'm going to take advantage that I've been playing so long that I can go straight into seniors. That puts a lot of pressure on the guys.

"I'm going to do three times a week running now and just get ready," he added confirming that he has already agreed to play in the Wimbledon seniors event next summer. (dpa)