After exiting his home tournament in Montpellier earlier in the week, Gilles Simon has decided to to take a break from tennis.
The veteran Frenchman crashed out in the opening round to Dennis Novak on Tuesday in Montpellier after a frustrating Australia swing.
Simon went out in the opening round of the Australian Open as well, losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas, winning only four games.
So it will come as no surprise that Gilles Simon has decided to take a break from tennis in an attempt to regain some motivation.
Speaking on Twitter Simon said he needed to preserve himself mentally, “My heart is no longer there to travel and play in these conditions,” the Frenchman stated.
“Unfortunately I have to take a break in order to preserve myself mentally. Hoping that morale returns as soon as possible. Thank you to all the faithful for your support. See you soon.”
This news could be the start for more players to do the same with prize money decreasing and a potential freezing of the rankings on the horizon, the motivation to compete may decrease at a rapid rate.
Also, the injury list continues to rise with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Sofia Kenin, Karolina Muchova, Kirsten Flipkens and Donna Vekic just to name a few suffering bad injuries over the Australian swing.
What happens next, remains a mystery but nobody can blame Simon’s decision as the 36 year-old contemplates his tennis future.
