Benoit Paire thrashes the idea of tennis being an Olympic sport, says the tournament is nothing special for him

Benoit Paire has some interesting views on the inclusion of tennis in Olympic games.

Benoit Paire thrashes the idea of tennis being an Olympic sport, says the tournament is nothing special for him

Benoit Paire (Credits : Tennis Infinity)

The Frenchman Benoit Paire has his opinion on the Olympic games and how he thinks tennis should not be part of that. As per him, the real Olympic games are athletics, archery, and related events; for tennis, this is just another tournament. The comment by Paire happened in one of the recent interviews on the background that Paris will be hosting the games next year.

Paire said, “(I) love the Olympic Games, I’m a fan of the Olympic Games. I was just saying and I’m still saying that tennis should not be in the Olympic Games with amateur sports. I’m a fan of archery, gymnastics, swimming and for me these are the real Olympic sports. Tennis is a little different but I love the Olympic Games.“

Paire continued on how important a tournament is for athletes and gymnasts compared to tennis players, “The other sports, the Olympic Games are their whole life for athletes. While for us, It’s just a tournament like any other, unless you play for the title. But personally, I’ve never played for the title (laughs).” (H/T: Tennis Actu, translated via Google)

Also Read: Fabio Fognini lashes out on Italian Davis cup team captain Filippo Volandri after omission from the squad

Benoit Paire was disqualified from Tokyo Olympics 2021

Benoit Paire
Benoit Paire (Credits: Tennis Infinity)

The Olympics was not a fond memory for Benoit Paire as the French man had a history of getting banned from participating in the last Olympics held in Tokyo. The French Tennis Federation then disqualified the current World No.125 for misbehavior during a tournament. The controversial tennis player had most of his career drenched in situations similar to that.

The exact reason for his disqualification was because of spitting a mark and then spitting at an umpire. The French Tennis Federation banned Benoit Paire from participating in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Now, with his comments related to the importance of the Olympic games, many were connecting it to his disqualification last year.

Paire has had an average career so far and the 34-year-old’s highest ranking is 18. His best-ever record in Grand Slam events is the fourth-round appearances in all the Majors except the Australian Open.

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