Former top 20 player Benoit Paire has said the crowd acted ‘like sheep’ during his clash with David Goffin at the Open 13 in Marseille on Thursday.
The Frenchman crashed out 6-2, 6-3, to the Belgian third seed. During the match, a frustrated Paire received two code violations for unsportsmanlike conduct and subsequently received a point penalty during the second set. Smashing his racket on court out of anger. Moments after the match, he was booed off the court by his home crowd.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1098663989045800960
Following his loss, Paire questioned the attitude of the crowd. Saying that he didn’t understand their reaction to him. The 29-year-old is renowned for his at times controversial behaviour. Last year he was fined $16,500 for breaking three rackets during a match at the Washington Open. In January he also took swipe at officials at the ASB Classic in Auckland concerning their scheduling.
“There are two who whistle and then it’s a bit like sheep,” Paire told reporters about the crowd in Marseille. “There is one that dives, (then) everyone dives in. If people prefer that, all the better. “(They) hissed at me because, supposedly, I did not fight enough. I tried to come back, he (Goffin) played some beautiful points at the end. Yes, I got angry, because I’m disappointed to lose, that’s tennis.”
Despite the hostile reception, Paire stated that he will not be ‘losing any sleep’ over the incident. Shutting down questions over his ability to control his emotions and behaviour on the court. Something he has struggled to deal with throughout his career.
“I’m 29 years old, I’ve been on the circuit for ten years, I’m trying to get better every day, I still have a great match, and for me a very good level of play.” He explained.
“Afterwards, they (the crowd) whistle, that’s not going to stop me from sleeping well. I’m going to go change, go for a drink and everything will be fine.”
It is the second time this year Paire has been booed by the crowd at a home tournament. Two weeks age, he crashed out 6-2, 6-0, to Tomas Berdych at the Montpellier Open. During the match he complained to the umpire the umpire ‘Every time I hit a shot, they (the crowd) say ‘Allez Benoit’. Every time. No, I told you in the first game already. You didn’t say anything.’
Le Français Benoit Paire hué par le public de l’@OpenSuddeFrance après sa défaite 6-2 6-0 face à Tomas Berdych en 8es de finale @viaOccitanieTV #Tennis #ATP250 pic.twitter.com/yf2UPyhZr9
— Alexis Kunz (@Kunz_Alexis) February 6, 2019
Marseille was Paire’s seventh tournament this year. So far he has achieved a win-loss record of 6-7 in 2019, but has only won back-to-back matches in two of those tournaments. Paire is scheduled return to action next week at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
