Tommy Haas after 1st-round loss: 'Might have been my last (US Open) match'

Tommy Haas has traversed a long and winding road in his 20-year pro tennis career, and at 37 years old, he's starting to see the end.

"Might have been my last match (at the US Open)," Haas said Monday, after blowing a two-sets-to-one lead and losing to Fernando Verdasco, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1 in the first round at Flushing Meadows. "Obviously would be great to be back here next year, but it's a long way to go."

The former world No. 2, who has won 15 ATP titles and reached at least the quarters at every Grand Slam (including at the French Open as recently as 2013), returned to the court this June after missing more than a year due to right shoulder surgery.

Haas has lost large chunks of time to injury in the past, only to surge back up the rankings. From the beginning of 2012 to the end of 2013 - after sitting out the majority of 2010 and 2011 - he won three titles and jumped from outside the top 100 all the way to No. 11 in the world.

But such comebacks don't come without exacting a physical and mental toll, and it's unclear how much longer Haas will be willing to put himself through it (though a dreamed-for second career as a vocalist doesn't appear to be in the cards).

Even though injuries forced Haas to skip three US Open main draws in his career, he came into the tournament leading the men's field in appearances (17) at Flushing Meadows. He ranks sixth among active players in career match wins, with 563.