Fabrice Santoro returned to the place where it all began to close the curtain on a remarkable and entertaining 20-year career.

James Blake beat Santoro, 6-4, 6-3, in Sunday's opening round of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris in a meeting Santoro confirmed was the final singles match of his career. It was Santoro's 15th career appearance at the tournament. He made his Grand Slam debut in Paris at the 1989 Roland Garros and went on to play an Open Era record 69 Grand Slam tournaments.

Santoro, who celebrates his 37th birthday on December 9th, is playing in the doubles draw with fellow Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean.

Tennis' top spin doctor traded shirts with Blake after the match and said while he thoroughly enjoyed his long career the time has come to call it quits.

"I've had lots of fun but now it is time to take a break," Santoro said. "It was a good match played in a great atmosphere and that's what I wanted. I don't feel sad, I even feel relieved in a way."

Champions ranging from Roger Federer to Marat Safin to John McEnroe have called Santoro one of their favorite players to watch and last year Serena Williams paid the 5-foot-10 Frenchman a compliment in saying he is one of only three players she would refuse to face.

"I'll play anybody with the exception of (Rafael) Nadal, (Roger) Federer and (Fabrice) Santoro. Other than that, I'm open for anybody," Williams said in Miami last year.

Tennis Week contributing writer Scoop Malinowski caught up with Santoro at the US Open in September for this interview.