Andy Murray has made it clear he has no plans to retire despite losing to Grigor Dimitrov at the US Open.
The Brit had said prior to the match that he was playing his best tennis since 2017, having cruised past Corentin Moutet in the first round.
But Murray was emphatically beaten by Dimitrov, with the Bulgarian securing victory with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win.
It's clear the 36-year-old is no longer the same player he once was, with his hip injury in 2019 still hampering his chances of Grand Slam glory four years on.
Grigor Dimitrov was too strong for Andy Murray in their US Open clash
REUTERS
Yet Murray, speaking in the aftermath of his exit, has made it clear he has no plans to retire just yet.
However, he did admit that a setback or further agonising defeats could prompt him into a rethink.
“I still enjoy everything that goes into playing at a high level," he said.
I enjoy the work. The training and trying to improve and trying to get better, I do still enjoy that.
"And that’s what keeps me going. If things change and I stop enjoying that or my results, my ranking and everything; like, if I start to go backwards in that respect [and] in a few months’ time I was ranked 60 in the world or whatever instead of moving up, things might change.”
Dimitrov previously made the semi-finals of the US Open in 2019.
And his victory means he'll now be facing off against 12th seed Alexander Zverev in the last 32 of the competition.
Murray has, to this point, been expected to play for Great Britain in next month's Davis Cup tie in Manchester.
But Murray has suggested he's now going to withdraw, adding: "If I'm being honest, the other guys deserve to play ahead of me.
"I think there is probably a chance that I'm not on the team. I'll try to get home this evening or tomorrow morning, then see where I go from there."
Dimitrov also spoke out after the match.
And the Bulgarian admitted he was dreaming of a deep run at the US Open, just like four years ago when he reached the semis.
"Well, one match at a time," the 32-year-old said with a smile.
"But now we are in the third round, so hopefully, we can on buiding on that and as I said, I have great memories of 2019.
"I would love to repeat that and why not go further?"
Britain does still have one man standing in the US Open, despite Murray's exit.
Dan Evans is flying the flag, with the 33-year-old overcoming Botic van de Zandschulp in four sets to boost his chances of glory.
Next up for the veteran is top seed Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz was far too strong for Lloyd Harris, powering his way to a 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 victory.
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Dan Evans is flying the flag for Britain after Andy Murray lost at the US Open
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The Spaniard is hoping to become the first man since Roger Federer to retain the US Open, with the Swiss maestro previously winning five titles on the trot between 2004 and 2008.