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Gilles Simon is pressing pause on the 2021 season.
The 36-year-old Frenchman took to Twitter announcing he was taking a mental health break and stepping off the pro circuit.
“My heart is no longer there to travel and play in these conditions, unfortunately I have to take a break in order to preserve myself mentally,” Simon said. “Hoping that morale returns as soon as possible. Thank you to all the faithful for your support. See you soon.”
Le cœur n’y étant plus du tout pour voyager et jouer dans ces conditions, je suis malheureusement obligé de faire une pause afin de me préserver mentalement. En espérant que le moral revienne le plus rapidement possible.
Merci à tous les fidèles pour votre soutien. À bientôt
— Gilles SIMON (@GillesSimon84) February 26, 2021
Simon looked lost on court managing just four games in his Australian Open first-round loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas. The former world No. 6 needs just seven more wins to score his milestone 500th career victory.
Simon’s departure comes a couple of weeks after compatriot Gael Monfils made a tearful opening-round Australian Open exit and confessed to completely losing his confidence playing amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Photo credit: Getty