Tennis player Rebecca Marino says she's 'stepping away' from the game

The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Canadian tennis player Rebecca Marino says she's "stepping away" from the game.

The Vancouver native says it wasn't an easy decision but that a "number of factors" led her it.

She says the factors are "part of society."

Marino told the New York Times last week she has found the Internet criticism that often comes with being a pro athlete overwhelming at times.

It played a role in her deciding to take a seven-month hiatus from the game about a year ago.

Marino plans to discuss her latest decision on a media conference call this afternoon.

The former world No. 38 played six tournaments this season, including the Australian Open.

It's not clear if Marino will return to tennis at some point or if she is retiring.