STAN WAWRINKA broke down in tears after agonisingly losing a final.
And then he hinted at the possibility he could retire.
The tennis legend, 38, was one of the best players on the planet when he reeled off his three Grand Slams in three years from 2014 to 2016.
But after various injuries, including surgery on his foot, the Swiss star has made a superb rise back up the rankings.
And he made his first ATP singles final in nearly four years at the Croatia Open.
But the world No49, seeded sixth, lost 6-7 6-3 6-4 in two hours and 36 minutes to a cramping Alexei Popyrin in Umag and missed out on a 17th career title.
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And the choked-up veteran could not hold back his emotions during his runner-up speech.
A crying Wawrinka, who won the same tournament in 2006 for his first career title, said: “I know it’s so stupid to cry, but I love this sport so much.
"You [the fans] make it really special. Amazing week."
And then he dropped a possible message about his future in the sport.
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Wawrinka added: "Hopefully I can come back. Thank you for the support.
"Thank you for being here. Hopefully I see you next year.”
A classy Popyrin added: "You're a legend of this sport. For me to play a final against you is an honour.
"I grew up rooting for you. I rooted for you every single Slam final you played.
"Honestly man, I love you and I love the love that you have for the sport.”
Wawrinka has previously suggested he might call time on his tennis career soon.
The Olympic gold medalist has struggled for form in 2023 with a first-round exit in the Australian Open and losing early throughout the clay season, culminating by losing in the second round of the French Open.
He won two matches at Wimbledon before being dismantled by Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
The former world No3 – who won the Australian Open, French Open and US Open – had previously last reached an ATP singles final in Antwerp at the 2019 European Open.
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He lost to Andy Murray with the Brit securing his first tournament victory since hip resurfacing surgery.
Wawrinka did win the Swiss Open doubles title at Gstaad the week before his Umag heartache with compatriot Dominic Stricker and celebrated by spraying the ball kids with champagne.
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