Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday withdrew from this week's Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle with exhaustion, a day after losing the men's French Open final.
Tsitsipas, the first Greek player to reach a Grand Slam final, lost a hard fought final at Roland Garros to Novak Djokovic 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.
"Unfortunately, I cannot play in Halle because of the exhaustion after the last two tournament weeks in Paris and yesterday's five-set final," the 22-year-old was quoted as saying by AFP.
It was a tough day for the Greek player on and off the court. In an emotional post on social media, the 22-year-old revealed he had learnt of the death of his paternal grandmother just minutes before the French Open final.
"Five minutes before entering the court my very beloved grandmother lost her battle for life," Tsitsipas wrote on Instagram. "A wise woman whose faith in life, and willingness to give and provide can't be compared to any other human being that I have ever met.
"It's important to have more people like her in this world. Because people like her make you come alive. They make you dream."
His efforts in the French Open pushed Tsitsipas up one place to fourth in the ATP rankings.
Swiss great Roger Federer is ranked fifth in Halle and will start his grass court season on Monday when he faces qualifier Ilya Ivashka of Belarus.
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Novak Djokovic celebrates with the Roland Garros trophy after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. Getty -
Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open final. AP -
Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open final. EPA -
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas shake hands at the net following the French Open final. AFP -
Novak Djokovic hits a forehand to Stefanos Tsitsipas during the French Open final. EPA -
Novak Djokovic serves to Stefanos Tsitsipas during the French Open final. AFP -
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Getty -
Stefanos Tsitsipas plays a backhand to Novak Djokovic. Getty Images -
Stefanos Tsitsipas plays a backhand volley to Novak Djokovic. Reuters -
Stefanos Tsitsipas slides to retrieve a drop shot during the French Open final. AFP -
Novak Djokovic reacts during the French Open final. AFP -
A general view inside Court Philippe-Chatrier during the French Open final. Getty Images -
Stefanos Tsitsipas throws his racquet in frustration during the French Open final. Getty Images -
Stefanos Tsitsipas throws his racquet in frustration during the French Open final. Getty Images -
Stefanos Tsitsipas is treated by medical staff during the French Open final. AFP -
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand to Stefanos Tsitsipas during the Frenh Open final. Getty Images
