PERTH, Australia, April 16, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Kelly Slater, widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time, said Tuesday "this feels like the end" after being knocked out of a competition in Australia and losing his place on the world tour.

The 52-year-old American, an 11-time world champion, had hoped to go the Paris Olympics this summer but did not make the grade.

"This feels like the end," he said following elimination from a World Surf League event at Margaret River, near Perth.

"Everything comes to an end," added Slater, who was visibly emotional afterwards.

"If you don't adapt, you don't survive.

"My motivation just has not quite been there to really put in that 100 percent that everyone is doing now."