France’s Benoit Paire has opened up about his struggles with playing on the ATP Tour during the COVID-19 pandemic following his shock exit from the Chile Open.
The world No.29 has slammed ATP Tour by describing it as ‘sad, boring and ridiculous’ in a post published on his Instagram account. Paire argues that his enjoyment in the sport has been taken away due to the various rules that have been implemented in recent months due to the pandemic. Tournaments around the world are taking place either behind closed doors or with a limited number of spectators. Meanwhile, players are limited as to where they can go in certain countries with tournaments creating their own ‘bubbles.’
Whilst many have hailed the measures which have been designed to protect players, Paire also points out that a lack of fans is having a negative impact on his tennis. His win-loss for the year currently stands at 1-6. He was the second seed at the Chile Open but suffered a shock 6-2, 6-3, loss to 17-year-old Holger Rune earlier this week who is the current world No.1 in juniors.
“Third I will talk about the ATP circuit which has become sad, boring and ridiculous … I know you are going to say you don’t realise how lucky you are blah-blah-blah, but playing in closed stadiums without any atmosphere isn’t why I play tennis,” Paire wrote in French.
“Having to stay either at the hotel or at the tennis club and be forbidden to go out on pain of exclusion and a fine, or is the pleasure of traveling?
“Tennis [has] become a tasteless job … So yes I need time to adapt to this pseudo ATP circuit but I will make the efforts to try to just rediscover the pleasure of playing tennis.”
Paire, who have won three ATP titles so far in his career, has already been involved in controversy this season. At the Argentina Open he spat on the court following a dispute with the umpire and was accused of tanking his final game against Francisco Cerundolo. Although it appeared that he wasn’t bothered by the prospect of a fine after tweeting “In the end it’s worth it to suck.” Below the comment was a screenshot of his career earnings which is $8.5 million. He also slammed the Australian Open over their quarantine measures and described the tournament as ‘really crap.”
“I am not talking about results I’m going to go play Acapulco and Miami after thinking a lot, and my goal will be just to have a smile on the court and enjoy hitting a ball, that I win yes that I lose I really don’t care,” Paire concluded in his Instagram post.
Whilst the 31-year-old can be a controversial figure at times, he comments do echo the difficulties players are facing. Gael Monfils has previously spoken about the difficulties he has experienced during the pandemic and trying to regain his form. Meanwhile, Gilles Simon has taken a break from the sport due to mental health concerns.
Paire will be unseeded at the Mexican Open next week. He is seeking to win back-to-back matches in a tournament for the first time in more than a year.
