Benoit Paire refuses to accept: "Why should I be suspended?"
Benoit Paire doesn't really enjoy tennis at the moment. And even tennis these days has little fun with the French enfant terrible. A comment.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Mar 28, 2021, 08:03 pm
A sport needs guys. That’s out of the question. What would modern tennis be without the spectacular balancing act between genius and madness that goes with every match by Australian Nick Kyrgios? Right, a bit more boring, a bit less interesting. For the delicacies that the man from Down Under is able to produce with the racket, you are happy to accept one or two dropouts - even if the 25-year-old has already exceeded limits in the past.
This story is not about the Australian Nick Kyrgios, it is about a man from France, who is also considered to be one of the most colorful figures in tennis. We are talking about Benoit Paire, the man who until recently was known to a not insignificant extent for magic strokes such as an irresistible slide volley against Gilles Simon (above in the video) - and only partially attracted attention with moderately difficult escapades.
Paire continues to be number 33 in the world
But now the balance between good and bad seems to be out of joint with the French. Since the COVID-19-related interruption of the ATP tour, Paire has mainly been noticed with listlessness, with giving away games and later complaining about a fun-free tour. A tour that simply doesn't want to give him any pleasure these days.
And yet the world number 33 goes. (!) doing his craft every week, starts at tournaments, only to say goodbye to that one after a more or less good gallop with an opening defeat: Pairs record 2021: 1: 7. This causes a stir in the tennis scene, just recently Toni Nadal, the uncle of 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, criticized the Frenchman's performances.
Roddick sees punishment as appropriate
Meanwhile, the American Andy Roddick goes one step further and advocates the punishment of Paire: "A precedent has been set for the punishment of people who give away, so they can definitely punish him. His own words above are an admission an intentional lack of exertion. This is how pouring is generally defined "; declared the former world number one on Twitter.
However, Benoit Paire himself does not want to hear much about punishment: "Why do you want to suspend me? Why don't I have the right to be here? I do my best, sometimes my maximum is not very high. I don't see why me." should have a suspension. Come on, see you in Monte-Carlo, at a big tournament. I can't wait to fight, "said a pair with the usual ironic reaction.
Problem for tennis
An irony, but in this case it seems absolutely out of place. When it comes to the Frenchman's appearance, the question of how the 31-year-old can best be sanctioned is not the biggest problem. Rather, the appearance of the world rankings 33. a problem for tennis. Because if the 17-year-old Holger Rune from Denmark in Santiago the world number 33. takes straight out of the tournament in two sentences, then this should actually represent a little Danish tennis fairy tale and not another chapter of the sad tennis year 2021 for Frenchman Benoit Paire.
quietplease52021
Because, unlike the aforementioned Kyrgios, Benoit Paire has an imbalance these days in favor of the escapades. An imbalance that also manifests itself in completely misplaced ironic remarks after defeats like just yesterday in the second round in Miami: "A fantastic game. I played very well against an excellent player, I feel the ball very well. I am very satisfied with my level of play and what I've produced on the pitch. I'll build on this game, "said Paire after his opening defeat against Lorenzo Musetti.
After a defeat that requires nothing less than such a sarcastic utterance. Because it is precisely with this that Paire shows that there is no trace of purification. That the future appearances - such as in Monte Carlo - will not reveal a 360-degree hike by the French. No, they will probably add another entry to the list of scandals. An entry that tennis can hardly use in times of empty ranks, professionals lamenting about bubbles and rankings and a split group of players between ATP and PTPA.