Former top 20 representative Daria Saville has questioned whether she should continue in the sport after her opening round exit at the US Open.
The Russian-born Aussie lacked the polishing touch in crucial moments against Japan's Ena Shibahara, losing a painful deciding set tiebreak to bow out 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) - not able to capitalise on a 2-0, 30-0 advantage in the third set.
Frustration reached tipping point after the match, as Saville smashed her racquet after hitting a ball long on Shibahara's match point.
Nearly two years ago at the Japan Open, Saville tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee against Naomi Osaka, keeping her out of the game for nine months. Now, she is currently battling painful plantar fasciitis in her foot.
Speaking to the media after her crushing defeat, the Olympian is unsure about her motivation and desire to continue competing on the tour.
"Mentally, it was tough because I felt that at some point, I didn't even deserve it, because I didn't put in the work. It is just a cycle," Saville said.
"I have had it before when I was playing injured and it is just a horrible cycle. Do I even want to do this anymore?
"I'm really negative right now. I don't know how I will feel tomorrow and probably I won't feel that way in a few days, but it is not fun playing injured."
In an honest admission, the 30-year-old revealed that the only reason why she competed at Flushing Meadows was because of the large sum of prize money on offer.
$AU 100,000 is guaranteed for a first round appearance in the singles draw.
"That is the truth. Where else will I make money? I lose money anywhere else if I bring a coach," she said.
"I will regroup, maybe. I really want to play the Asian swing, but sometimes I maybe feel like I don't even want to do this thing anymore.
"The tennis is there but on some big points, I missed some shots that I would not have missed if I had some matches under my belt. That is not the level anyway. It was not a good level from me.
"There were some glimpses of [a] good level, but overall I was so frustrated that it was that long, because I have probably made it worse. That is the thing, you can't make it too much worse unless it snaps, which is not too bad."
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