Kafelnikov looks set to quit

Kafelnikov threatened to quit the tour at the end of last year

Yevgeny Kafelnikov looks sure to quit tennis at the end of the year following defeat at the Kremlin Cup.

The 29-year-old Russian was asked about his future after losing to Sargis Sargsian in Moscow.

"You'll get that answer just by looking at entry sheets at various tournaments next year," said Kafelnikov.

"If my name is absent from the list than you know I am done as a player."

Kafelnikov said on numerous occasions last year that he would quit tennis if he could lead Russia to their first Davis Cup title.

But, although the Russians did win the event, Kafelnikov played no part in the final and changed his mind about retirement soon after.

The former French and Australian Open champion has struggled for much of this season, however, reaching just one final at the Milan Indoors in February.

Russian Davis Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev has encouraged Kafelnikov to carry on playing.

"I keep saying to him that he can still do well on the Tour at least for a couple more years," Tarpishchev said this week.

"And he can certainly play top level doubles for as long as he wants it. We all want him to continue, but of course, the final decision is up to him."