Russian tennis player Marat Safin has revealed that he may retire from the sport. The announcement came following a disappointing exit in just the first round of the Paris Masters.

The defeat was the latest in a series of shocking results for the tennis player, who is only 28 years of age. Juan Monaco beat the former world number one 6-0, 7-6 (7-4).

Safin has previously won the US Open and the Australian Open but has not won a title since 2005. He is ranked 31st in the world, but earlier this year he slipped as low as 90th.

The player’s confidence has been knocked by disappointing results against players including Igor Kunitsyn, who beat Safin in Moscow earlier this month.

The Russian tennis player has now expressed his desire to “sit down and relax” and attempt to live a life without “any tennis” for at least a few months.

After this break, Safin will reconsider his position but it is possible that he will never return to the sport which has brought him so much happiness.

Safin was keen to point out that he is under no pressure to make any immediate decision, since he has nothing “to prove or show” to anyone. He spoke of injuries which have blighted his career and left him “struggling” to find any kind of form.

However, physical problems have been joined by psychological problems. The Russian has revealed the “uncomfortable position” of finding himself ranked “70 and 30 and 50” when he used to dominate the top places.