Olympic bronze medallist Owen Wright seemed to be contemplating retirement after suffering a heat loss that will likely result in him missing the WSL's new mid-season cut.
There were tears aplenty at the Margaret River Pro on Tuesday as the axe fell on a number of surfers.
Only the top 22-ranked men will qualify for the second half of the Championship Tour (CT) season, with the rest relegated to the Challenger Series (CS).
Wright, who entered ranked equal 23rd, needed to beat Miguel Pupo in their round of 32 showdown to guarantee his spot on tour.
But it was Pupo who came up with the goods, producing an early 7.50 ride in the huge conditions to beat Wright 11.50 to 8.93.
It was initially believed the result had eliminated Wright from the top-22 hunt.
But it was later revealed that a tiebreak situation in the standings had propelled Wright up to 21st on the live ladder.
Wright now needs other results to fall his way, but the 32-year-old is already resigned to slipping out.
He will now talk with family before making a decision on his future.
"The reality is I won't make the cut," Wright said.
"For me I don't want to be making any thoughts or having any long-term thoughts just yet. Just trying to be kind to myself over the next few days and brush it off.
"I know I'm surfing really well, but I've got a lot of life outside of the tour - kids and wife and what not.
"Whatever I do will be a family decision. We'll kind of go through the motions of what's next."
Wright says he is entered in for the upcoming Gold Coast Pro on the Challenger Series tour.
But whether he stays on that tour for the rest of the season in a bid to win back his card remains to be seen.
"There's a lot more questions to be had. We'll see what happens," he said.
Fellow Australian Morgan Cibilic, who finished fifth in the world last year, became a high-profile victim of the WSL cut after losing to countryman Callum Robson.
There were more sad scenes when Brazilian rookie Joao Chianca broke down in tears after being pipped by Italo Ferreira.
The world No.25 now has to turn his attention to the Gold Coast Pro.
"Can I be honest, I really wish I could go home and not do anything right now for the next few days," Chianca said.
"It's all about finding hope in the hopeless. I'm not going to give up so soon. I'm still young and definitely have a lot to learn."
Eleven-times world champion Kelly Slater is already safe from the cut, and he will take on Jadson Andre in the round of 32.
