The French Tennis Federation (FFT) could be in for a shake-up after their Olympic captain announced he has offered to step down after no player from the country managed to reach the quarter-final stage at the Paris Games.
Ivan Ljubicic is a former world No.3 who worked with Roger Federer between 2016 and 2022. Two years ago he started to work with the FFT and has the title of ‘director of Ambition 2024.’ His goal is to try and improve the performance of French players on the Tour as they seek to end their major drought. A female player from the country hasn’t won a major title since Marion Bartoli in 2013 and the last man to do so was Yannick Noah in 1983.
At the Paris Olympics, four French players were in the men’s draw with Corentin Moutet being the only player to make it to the third round. In the women’s draw, two out of four home players won their opening matches (Dianne Parry and Clara Burel) before losing in the second round. Meanwhile, in the doubles tournament, no team managed to win more than one match in a row.
“The results are catastrophic. This is the reality, we absolutely must take our responsibilities,” L’Equipe quoted Ljubicicas telling reporters on Wednesday.
“I have already spoken with the president. Today, I am also responsible for the French team and I offered my resignationfrom this position because we failed to prepare the players.”
Speaking further about the situation, Ljubicic admitted there has been issues with preparations for the French team.
“The fact that four doubles teams never played a match together before the Olympics is hard to understand.” He added.
“I think we need to say things. We must take responsibility. I don’t know what the president will decide (about his offer to resign).”
The 45-year-old adds that he doesn’t necessarily intend to leave the FFT completely, just his current role. Saying he has’zero problem’ helping with the development of young players in the sport.
The last time France failed to reach the quarter-finals at every tennis event at an Olympics was 28 years ago at the Atlanta Games.
