The striker had recovered from testicular cancer just a few months before the premier African football tournament kicked off.

The 27-year-old left the field in tears that night, clearly fearing for his chances of featuring at the Cup of Nations.

Suryakumar acknowledged that his "rough patch" had been going on for too long.

His 582 tour-level wins are fourth most among active players, just behind Gael Monfils, who also plans to retire at the end of next year.