Benoît Paire in a very tough situation

After more than borderline tantrums, after swinging matches, after a strange apathy on the court, Benoit Paire explained himself Friday on social networks: the whimsical French player can't overcome the conditions of play induced by the health measures for a year, but he intends to hang on.

"Firstly, congratulations to Holger whom I appreciate very much, I wish him good luck for his career. Secondly, a big thank you to my loved ones who have sent me messages of support that really make me feel good," Paire wrote in a message on Instagram, two days after a more than pitiful performance at the tournament in Santiago, Chile, where he was dominated by Holger Rune, 17 and only 410th player in the world, 6-2, 6-3.

In addition to the elimination in his first match, it was Paire's almost disturbing apathy that left its mark.

No anger, no cheering, no throwing of the racket, no rebellion... just despondency. An astonishing state of mind that he wanted to explain by evoking an "ATP circuit that has become sad, boring and ridiculous".

I know, you'll say "you don't realize how lucky you are, blah, blah, blah", but playing in closed-door stadiums with no atmosphere is not why I play tennis", he stressed, reiterating a position he has held since the resumption of the circuit last summer under heavy health security conditions due to covid-19.

- Setbacks -

It must be recognized that the 31-year-old Avignon native, ranked 29th in the world, is one of the players who has suffered the most from the health measures imposed by tournament organizers. Several weeks of total isolation in a New York hotel after testing positive for the coronavirus before the start of the US Open in September, then 14 days of confinement on arrival in Melbourne for the Australian Open in January without permission to leave because of a case of contact in the plane, then a day of isolation because of a positive case of Covid in his hotel... And a poor elimination in the first round.

After the Australian Major, Paire left for South America where he hoped to enjoy more open living conditions.

But on the court, he had one setback after another.

First in Buenos Aires, where Paire broke down in his first match against 137th-ranked Francisco Cerundolo. Challenging a refereeing decision, he ostensibly spat on the mark left by the ball on the clay court. A few protests and shouted swear words earned him a penalty point, before a tragicomic outcome.

On the match point, he committed a double fault by serving his second ball in a beginner's gesture, trying not so much to put it in the service box as to avoid the ball boy who was still in the way.

- Provocation -

To his antics on the court, he then added a provocation on social networks where his detractors had a field day: a photo of the ATP website displaying his 8.5 million dollars in career earnings was accompanied by the comment "Finally it's worth it to be lame" and two emoticons, a kiss and a middle finger.

After that explosive outburst, Santiago's tetanus fit was only more surprising.

"For me, playing tennis has become a tasteless job. So yes, I need time to adapt to this pseudo ATP tour, but I'm going to make the effort to try to just get back to enjoying playing tennis," he wrote on Instagram confirming his intention to line up in Acapulco (March 15-20) and then the Miami Master 1000 (March 24-April 4).

"My goal will just be to have a smile on the court and enjoy hitting a ball, whether I win or lose, I don't really care," he concluded.

In the front row to feel the distress of Paire in Santiago, Rune immediately reacted to the publication of the French: "respect", he posted with the sobriety of setting in front of a person in great pain.

Tennis / difficult situation

Benoît Paire in a very tough situation

Benoît Paire in a very tough situation

Benoît Paire in a very tough situation