Fans will have to get used to not seeing former world number 18 on the tennis court for some time as Benoit Paire has announced an indefinite break from the sport.
This comes not long after one of the Frenchman's best seasons on tour. 2019 saw him win, for the first time in his career, two ATP titles. However, he has struggled to rediscover this form post-pandemic.
So far in 2022, the hot-headed Frenchman has played 24 matches, winning just 6. It is thought that this form is what has contributed to his decision to leave the sport for the moment.
Aged 33, Paire boasts three ATP tour singles titles over a career which saw him turn pro in 2007. In that time, he has reached the fourth-round in three of the four majors.
Paire is also known amongst the tennis world for being someone who leaves his heart on his sleeve, often making his thoughts heard if decisions do not go his way. This does mean he has become a fan-favourite on tour, and the news will not be what they wanted to hear after his first-round loss in Stuttgart.
On his Instagram story, the Frenchman shared a picture with a caption saying: "Break from tennis for an indefinite period." Prior to the 2022 Roland Garros, where he lost in the first round to Ilya Ivashka, the Frenchman explained:
"I'm having a disastrous start to the season, I'm not playing my best tennis, I'm not at my best mentally but it's Roland Garros and it's my favorite tournament where something magical can happen..."
"Let's have an incredible time whole!! I don't promise you the best tennis match of your life, but let's set this court on fire and love it!!!"
Only time will tell if this really is the end for Paire, or whether he will make a return to the sport in the future. But for now, we will have to get used to not seeing him on our screens.