Fabrice Santoro bows out of the Australian Open -- and professional tennis -- after taking part in a record 70th major and becoming the first player to play Grand Slam events across four decades.
Santoro, who played his first Grand Slam event at the French Open in 1989, lost 7-5, 7-5, 6-3 to Marin Cilic.
"It was not the best draw for me, but I played a very, very good match, so I'm happy," said Santoro.
The Frenchman had officially retired at the end of last season but left open the possibility of one last record-breaking Grand Slam appearance. After being urged to compete, Santoro decided on January 6 to make the trip.
"For Christmas, for the new year, you receive a lot of phone calls, SMS, emails from your friends," he said. "They said, 'Okay, maybe why don't you go to Australia?'... Another one say, 'Okay, you go and play four decades.'
"I receive so many messages, talked to so many people from the game also, former players, and so I said, 'Okay, I have to go.' I love Melbourne."