The talking point wasn’t what Pierre-Hugues Herbert did during his first round match at the Monte Carlo Masters, it was what he did afterwards.
Moments after scoring a 6-4, 6-4, win over Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, he grabbed a pen and proceeded to write on a camera lens. His message read ‘Notre Dame’ with a drawing of a broken heart below. Herbert’s words echoed those of many coming to terms with a serious fire that caused extensive damage to one of France’s most renowned landmarks.
“I think many French were affected by what happened in Paris, Notre-Dame.” Herbert told reporters on Tuesday. “And when we are French and we enjoy Paris, this beautiful city, we are proud of Paris. And when we see Notre-Dame on fire and the spire crumbling down, that was really shocking for me yesterday evening.’
“I said to myself that if ever I won, I would like to send a message of love for Notre-Dame that was crumbling down and that I was very affected yesterday evening.”
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The Notre-Dame cathedral was built over the course of 200 years with work starting back in 1163. 714 years before the first ever Wimbledon Championships took place in 1877. An estimated 13 million people visit the building every year, which was undergoing renovation at the time of the fire. One of its artefacts includes the Crown of Thorns, which some believe was worn by Jesus Christ.
“It took me a little while to learn that the fire was on, and the images were so shocking with this fire crumbling down. When you see this image of Paris on fire, it was really impressive, shocking.” Herbert commented.
In light of what the French president described as a natural tragedy, the mood at the Monte Carlo Masters was somewhat different to that of before. Tennis was not the only main talking point at the tournament. Despite its name, the event isn’t actually held in Monte Carlo. Its home is in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in the extreme South East of France.
“It is something that is really sad for the French people, but also for everybody, for the whole world, actually, because this was a monument that was well known all over the world.” Jo-Wilfried Tsonga said after retiring injured from his first round match.
“It was really special in Paris, therefore in France, so we are really proud of that monument. We are really sad of what happened yesterday.”
Gilles Simon, who is one of only two Frenchman left in the tournament alongside Herbert, also spoke about the fire.
“Like everybody else, I was really sad. That’s it. And of course I saw the images, and it’s a real pity.” He said.
Officials are still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the fire. In the meantime, donors around the world have pledged millions to help with the restoration of the building and national governments have lent their support.
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