Having been upset at a number of line calls during the Court 18 clash, it had been suggested the 29-year-old had walked out in disgust, rather than having a valid excuse.

He disputed that, though, citing flu as the reason behind his retirement, saying: 'I'm totally exhausted. In the last two or three days I was almost entirely in bed. I have had flu and felt like my body was pretty bad. I had no energy left.

'I had no energy and have only been able to practise for 45 minutes over the last two days. I tried to hang in as long as I could but in the end I was tired and slow in the head and felt a pain in my leg.

'Maybe it was bad timing but it is hard to speak about because this is the best grand slam I played last year. I'm angry and sad but there is nothing I can do.'