Paris, France (AHN) - Russian tennis superstar Marat Safin, who announced his planned retirement before this season, played his final ATP match Wednesday after absorbing a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 loss to U.S. Open champ Juan Martin del Potro in Paris.

Known for his unpredictability and temper, Safin, 29, the older brother of current World No. 1 women's player Dinara Safina, took a bow at the this year's Paris Open, where won three of his 15 career singles titles.

The charismatic and outspoken Muscovite, renowned for his emotional outbursts during matches, reportedly had broken more than 700 rackets during his career.

He even reportedly criticized former American star Andre Agassi about his revelations in his recently released autobiography, "Open".

Considered as an underachiever by many, the former world No. 1 managed to finish among the year-end Top 5 only on three occasions ('00, '02, '04).

After starting his pro career in 1997, Safin won the 2000 U.S. Open and ruled the Australian Open in 2005. He also finished runner-up at two other Grand Slam events.

Safin reached the highest ranking No. 1 on Nov. 20, 2000.

Marat with younger sister Dinara are the only siblings to take the No. 1 spot in singles tennis history.

Safin, who departs with a 421-266 singles record, had also won two career titles in doubles events, where he went 96-120.