If getting to the top is tough, staying there is tougher. And India's Somdev Devvarman was forced to face the gravity of one of sport's oldest adages. While the 25-year-old made a breakthrough on Monday, becoming the first Indian man since Leander Paes to be ranked in the top-100, he suffered a disappointing loss on the eve of the achievement.
According to the latest ATP rankings released on Monday, the Indian shot up seven places to be placed 96th in the world. But he could not crown it by winning a main draw-spot at the Washington ATP.
Despite winning the first set, Somdev succumbed 6-3, 4-6, 1-6 to Kevin Kim in the second and final qualifying round at the Legg Mason Classic on Sunday.
"After a tough day at the office I still got motivation," wrote Somdev on the social site Twitter. "Finally top 100 after all these years of work. Thank you everyone who helped me get here."
Like his game, it has been an attritional journey fueled by the slow burning fire within.
The run on the ranking treadmill, however, can be relentless. And Somdev is likely to feel the pinch come next Monday.
For it was in Washington last year that Somdev showed he could take down the big guns when he beat Marin Cilic in the second round.
The successful run also amounted to 55 points. The Indian has only been able to defend four of them this week.
In the lower echelons of top-100, where every point matters, it could mean a big drop. Donald Young of America, ranked 100 in the world currently, is six points off Somdev.
But that is still a Monday away. And given the steady progress he has shown in his game, and in turn the rankings, it will be only a matter of time before he makes the grade again.
He has been able to make the first break into the top-100 within three years of turning pro, without any spectacular spurts in the ranking graph. More importantly, Somdev has shown an effective fusion of physical fitness and the emotional maturity that seemed to skip the generation of Indians after Paes.
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