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World number 11 Holger Rune became the latest high-profile tennis player to have his season ended prematurely after suffering an injury at the Nordic Open in Stockholm.
The Danish 22-year-old, set to return to the top 10 after reaching the semi-finals at the ATP 250 event, was forced to retire when leading Frenchman Ugo Humbert by a set.
His mother, Aneke Rune, later told Danish newspaper BT that she had been informed by medical staff that her son's injury was "very bad".
She said: "They are completely sure that it is a torn Achilles tendon, so it's of course very bad. Holger is, of course, completely devastated.
"They say they can see it with the naked eye."
Rune, nursing a hamstring issue coming into the match, appeared instantly aware of the severity of his injury and was emotional as he received treatment after hobbling to his chair.
He had pulled up in pain after jumping to hit a ball at the back of the court, with the game level at 40-40 on Humbert's serve and Rune leading 6-4 2-2.
Humbert said: "It was not the way I wanted to win. I'm super disappointed for Holger, I hope he is going to be OK.
"I wish him a speedy recovery. It was a great match, he was playing a little bit better than me, but I'm really sorry for Holger."
Later on Saturday, Novak Djokovic retired after losing the first set of his third-place play-off against Taylor Fritz at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.
It comes after Djokovic struggled with injury and sickness before suffering a shock loss to qualifier Valentin Vacherot at the Shanghai Masters last week.
Naomi Osaka became the latest high-profile player to withdraw from a tournament because of injury when she pulled out of the Japan Open with a leg problem before her quarter-final on Friday.
Former women's world number one Iga Swiatek complained in September that the season is "too long and too intense" amid a string of injuries among players at the China Open.
British number one Emma Raducanu called time on her season on Thursday after she was forced to retire from her two previous matches with illness.
Australia's Daria Kasatkina, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Spain's Paula Badosa also ended their seasons earlier than planned in recent weeks, citing either injury or a need to take a break from the tour.
