Karen Khachanov performed his 529th ATP match in opposition to Alexander Zverev within the Cincinnati Masters fourth spherical. The 29-year-old Russian, who beforehand fought for the Canada Masters crown, trailed 7-5, 3-0 when he determined to retire.
Thus, Karen failed to complete an ATP match for the primary time in a profession, ending the Tour-leading streak. After 12 years of competing on the top-tier stage, ended the run that highlighted his consistency.
Khachanov's story brings us again to Roger Federer. The Swiss embraced 1526 ATP matches with no retirement (he gave 5 walkovers), setting the file that ought to stand for good!
Robust technique to end 😔
Zverev goes by as Khachanov is compelled to retire as a consequence of damage, 7-5 3-0 RET #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/cntPMjmR8m
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 14, 2025
Whereas the Russian loved a notable streak, what the Swiss did in a bodily demanding sport is nothing wanting exceptional. Roger set an ordinary of endurance, highlighting the rarity of a profession freed from mid-match retirements.
Karen's exit was particularly disappointing given his newest kind. He completed because the runner-up to Ben Shelton in Toronto earlier than heading to Cincinnati and incomes two victories.
Nonetheless, the Russian couldn’t endure one other problem in that packed schedule. He fought nicely within the opening set in opposition to his good buddy Zverev. Nonetheless, the German grabbed a late break and claimed it 7-5.
In the meantime, Khachanov began to really feel the ache in his again. He sprayed too many errors and located himself in a tough state of affairs after struggling back-to-back breaks initially of the second set.
Alexander Zverev & Karen Khachanov, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
Occupied with the upcoming US Open, Karen made a tough resolution and retired for the primary time in a profession, unwilling to threat extra critical points forward of the ultimate Main occasion of the season.
"To be sincere, I didn’t end a match for the primary time in my profession. The sensations are undesirable, because the spectators got here to observe us compete. Normally, when you don’t really feel able to play, you withdraw earlier than the match.
Nonetheless, I felt discomfort in the course of the match when my again began to harm. It's the identical trauma that I skilled a number of occasions during the last couple of years.
I made a decision there was no level in preventing till the tip and making issues worse with a Main occasion ready across the nook. That's the explanation I needed to retire," Karen Khachanov stated.
