‘I love the next generation of players, but the Big 3 are just different in driving fans crazy,’ says Benoit Paire

‘I love the next generation of players, but the Big 3 are just different in driving fans crazy,’ says Benoit Paire

Benoit Paire

Benoit Paire has been one of the most talented, yet temperamental tennis players on the tour for many years. The Frenchman has often invited trouble by his various antics and poor behaviour on the court.

Recently, Paire was also going through a lean patch on the court, owing to which he lost seven matches in a row this season. He even cited that the Covid-19, bio-bubble has been effecting his game play.

The 32-year-old further revealed that he was not enjoying the game, due to several restrictions imposed by the authorities and the absence of fans.

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However, a remarkable turnaround in form and motivation saw Paire reach the quarterfinals of the ongoing Cincinnati Masters 1000, where he was downed in three sets by Russia’s Andrey Rublev.

Regardless of the defeat, Paire expressed happiness in being able to break free from the restrictions in Cincinnati, which also allowed him to focus on his game better.

“I heard a lot that I was no longer a tennis player: Paire this, Paire that. Now that tennis is back to normal (less bubbles), I managed to beat a top 10. I’m enjoying so much playing in front of people again, being able to go out in streets, go to fast-food and get back to a life I love. That’s why results are back. I’m happy to have my tennis back and my joy of being on a court,” Paire told L’Equipe.

The World No.50 Paire also opined that tennis will find it tough to move forward without the big-three (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic).

“I love the next generation of players, but the Big 3 are just different. They drive fans crazy. It will be difficult to replace them.”

Rafa & Roger to miss rest of 2021  

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Incidentally, the three 20-time Grand Slam winners are not participating at the Western and Southern Open. While the Swiss maestro and the Spaniard bull have already called their time on the season, the Serb will be seen in action at the US Open in New York.

Meanwhile, Paire will be brimming with confidence going into the final Slam of the year, after beating big names in John Isner and Denis Shapovalov in Cincinnati.

Also read: Will former World No.1 Rafael Nadal drop out of the top-10 in the ATP men’s rankings?