Grigor Dimitrov intends to temporarily step away from tennis after being eliminated from the third round of the French Open on Friday.

Fourth seed Dimitrov was beaten 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-4 by Fernando Verdasco on Court 1 at Roland Garros, two days after being pushed to five sets by world number 57 Jared Donaldson.

The Bulgarian reached the semi-finals at the Monte Carlo Masters and the last eight in Barcelona, but he suffered first-round exits at the Madrid Open and the Internazionali d'Italia.

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Having struggled during the clay swing and with an 18-11 record on all surfaces this year, Dimitrov feels he needs to reflect on a disappointing spell by taking a break from the sport.

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"I definitely need to take some time off now to kind of reassess the whole clay-court season, to be honest," said Dimitrov.

In his 350th clay court match, @FerVerdasco let's experience do the talking as he takes out Dimitrov 7-6(4) 6-2 6-4.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/tgukvcpA37 — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2018

"I think that's going to be the number one priority for me now, to kind of step out from the tennis for a little bit, try to watch some matches and sort of try to progress somehow and just get better.

"How? I mean, we'll figure [it out]. I don't want to be too negative right now. I know it's hard right after the match.

"I have always been a positive thinker, and I want to keep that on the same level right now. Obviously it's tough when you lose a match, but that's how it goes."