Outspoken French tennis star Benoit Paire believes the series of withdrawals from the upcoming Miami Open justify the recent comments he has made about the professional Tour.
The world No.31 has declared that the sport is currently ‘not a priority’ for him after crashing out of the Mexican Open earlier this week. Making it the third tournament in a row where he has lost in the first round. Paire says he is currently not enjoying life as a player due to the various restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the use of bubbles where players must stay in whilst participating in events. Rules he argues has made the Tour ‘sad, boring and ridiculous.’
“I lost in the first round, it’s better, I will be able to get out of the bubble quickly and enjoy a few days before Miami,” Paire said following his 6-3, 6-1, loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“Tennis is not my priority for the moment. Getting out of the bubble is the only goal I have at every tournament.”
Paire has already been under fire over his behaviour on the Tour this season following an incident at the Argentina Open. During one match he was penalised for spitting on the court following a dispute with the umpire over a call that was made. He was also accused of tanking in the final game which is against the rule book.
Nevertheless, the defiant Frenchman still believes his comments are valid and explains why there is a number of notable absences from the upcoming Miami Open. At present six top 20 players will not be participating in the event, including every member of the Big Three. Usually the event follows Indian Wells but that tournament has been postponed due to the current situation. Meaning some players will be required to travel to America to play one tournament before returning to Europe for the clay swing. However, Paire argues that there is another factor.
“I say maybe bullsh*t under the influence of impulsiveness,” he wrote on his social media.
“But when I see that the Miami Masters 1000 will be played without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic, Gaël and Stan, there is a problem at the moment on the circuit.”
Paire’s outspoken comments have triggered criticism from tennis coach Toni Nadal. The former mentor and uncle of Rafael Nadal who introduced the Spaniard to tennis. In a recent interview with Antena 3, Toni warns Paire that his comments are not doing ‘any favours.’
“He has not been correct with what he has said, it does not do tennis or him any favours,” newspaper Marca quoted him as saying. “Effort is given (at) little value. He is tired of the current situation (and it would be) better if he would have kept it to himself.”
Paire has won three ATP titles so far in his career and had earned more than $8.5 million in prize money. However, he has won only one out of eight matches played so far this season.
Who is not playing Miami?
- Novak Djokovic SRB
- Rafael Nadal ESP
- Roger Federer SWI
- Dominic Thiem AUT
- Borna Ćorić CRO
- Stan Wawrinka SWI
- Pablo Andújar ESP
- Pablo Carreño Busta ESP
- Pablo Cuevas URG
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina ESP
- Kyle Edmund GBR
- Richard Gasquet FRA
- Filip Krajinović SRB
- Nick Kyrgios AUS
- John Millman AUS
- Gaël Monfils FRA
- Corentin Moutet FRA
- Guido Pella ARG
- Albert Ramos Viñolas ESP
- Gilles Simon FRA
- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA
NOTE: List as of 21/3/2021. Reason for withdrawals varies depending on each player.
