French tennis star Benoit Paire has insisted that there is no need to be concerned about him despite what has been a controversial past few weeks.
The world No.33 is one of the most vocal critics of the current procedures in place on the ATP Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the use of ‘bubbles’ which is a designated area where players must stay whilst playing at a tournament in a bid to minimise the risk of an outbreak of the virus. However, an outspoken Paire has said the current situation has turned the Tour ‘sad, boring and ridiculous.’ He has also been accused of tanking during one of his matches at the Argentina Open. In that same match he spat on the court following an argument with the umpire over a call which was made.
Proclaiming that his goal is to spend as little time in the bubble’s as possible, the 31-year-old exited the Miami Open on Saturday. Losing 6-2, 6-3, to Italian rising star Lorenzo Musetti. In the immediate aftermath of that match, Paire appeared to be raising his hands to celebrate losing.
The unorthodox actions of the Frenchman in recent weeks has prompted some to question if he should be penalised further by the ATP. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli believes Paire’s actions are having a negative impact on Tennis’ image.
“He’s damaging the game the way he behaves. When you have the youth and the young generation looking at that and they think it’s okay to behave like this, this is where my problem starts,” Bartoli told Tennis Major’s Match Points.
“I think the ATP should have a sense of responsibility saying that we can’t display tennis that way, and therefore they should take some actions.”
On the other hand Paire doesn’t feel that he has done anything wrong. Speaking to L’Equipe following his loss to Musetti, he dismissed calls that he should be suspended from the Tour. Seemingly dismissing allegations that he deliberately tanked during a match earlier in the season.
“What do they want to suspend me? Because I don’t have the right to be here? I do my maximum, sometimes my maximum is not very high,” he said in French.
“I don’t see why I should have a suspension… Come on, see you in Monte-Carlo, a great tournament. I can’t wait to do battle.”
Usually undeterred by what is said about him by others, there is one comment that Paire has taken notice of. Those are the words of Toni Nadal who recently advised the tennis player to keep his criticisms to himself. Toni is the uncle and former coach of 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
“It doesn’t interest me at all… Apart from Toni Nadal because I respect him and know him. But the others… (…) I manage my life as I want. They have their life, I have mine. I prefer my life to theirs. I don’t see why they come to talk about my life. It is none of their business. “
Paire is now going to spend some time at home before starting his campaign on the European clay. This year he has only managed to win one out of nine matches played so far.
“You are really wrong to worry. I’m going to go home, see my family and friends, go for a walk with my dog. And I’m not going to watch a tennis match, I’m not interested. ” He concluded.
Paire has won three ATP titles and earned more than $8.5 million in prize money so far in his career.
