From the heady heights of contesting his first ATP final, Nicolas Mahut will have to come back down to earth quickly on Monday because he has to try and qualify for Wimbledon.
Despite entering the Queen's Club tournament rated 106th in the world, Mahut will see his ranking rise into the 70s when the new list is issued on Monday.
Unfortunately for the Frenchman, the improvement has come a little too late as he was outside the cut-off mark when Wimbledon finalised its list of direct entrants into the men's draw.
Luck was also not on his side when the organisers announced the wildcards, as it was Mahut's compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who benefited from an invite.
Asked if he felt aggrieved by the All England Club's decision, he said: "You have to ask the question to the tournament director, not me."
Mahut had led a charmed week in west London as he knocked out four seeds, including French Open champion Rafael Nadal, en route to the final.
He almost captured a fifth on Sunday when he earned a match point against second seed Andy Roddick. But instead of unleashing a passing-shot winner past Roddick, the 25-year-old saw his effort land at the bottom of the net during the second set tiebreak.
"I was one point away from putting my name on the trophy. I'm really disappointed," Mahut said following his 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 defeat.
"It was just an easy passing shot like the thousands I've hit before. But it's easier when you practise. When you have to make it to win the tournament, it's another shot."
After enjoying the best week of his seven-year professional career in London, Mahut now hopes he will get a chance to entertain the crowds at Wimbledon.
"Wimbledon for me is the greatest tournament, so I will try to do the same as I did today. I have to win three [qualifying] matches as I really want to play Wimbledon," he said.
"I won the juniors in Wimbledon [in 2000] and that's why it's the most important for me. Perhaps I should ask the ATP to put more tournaments in the year [on grass]. At the moment it's only three weeks and that's not enough for me."
