French world No.35 Benoit Paire will not be allowed to play in the Olympic Games this year following an investigation conducted by the French Tennis Federation (FFT).
The national body has deemed the former top 20 player ineligible for the Olympic qualification criteria following a series of incidents he has been involved in this season. A vocal critic of the Tour restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Paire has described the situation as ‘sad, boring and ridiculous.’ Openly admitting that he wants to get outside of staying in a ‘Tour bubble’ as quickly as possible. At the Argentina Open he was accused of tanking during one of his matches which he also spat on the court following an argument over a line call.
The behaviour of the Frenchman has prompted concern from the FFT who looked into the case. Paire has since written a letter to his national federation apologising for the incidents however he continues to be caught up in controversy. At last week’s Monte Carlo Masters he said he didn’t care about losing to Jordan Thompson in the first round and described playing without fans watching like a ‘cemetery.’
“Honestly I don’t give a sh*t about this match,” he told reporters.
“Playing in a cemetery like this, it’s just not possible anymore. All the players think it. I am perhaps the only one to say it.
“Tennis is no longer bringing me anything good. I’ve got no more spark.”
It was the Monte Carlo incident which proved to be the last straw and triggered action from the Federation with the proposal being backed by Nicolas Escudé and Davis Cup captain Sébastien Grosjean. In a statement the FFT confirmed their decision was prompted by Paire’s ‘inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and repetitive behaviours.’
“In terms of responsibility, for our sport and for France, on the proposal of the DTN (Direction Technique Nationale) and in consultation with Sébastien Grosjean, the Comex has decided to exclude Benoît Paire from the future list of players who will represent the FFT and France this summer in Tokyo,” FFT President Gilles Moretton said in a statement.
“His behaviour deeply moved since the beginning of the year seriously undermines the values of sport, like tennis and are totally incompatible with the Olympic spirit. I repeat, it is the duty of each player and of each high-level player must respect the values of our sport and it is up to them to be exemplary on and off the court, in particular vis-à-vis the young people of our country.”
Officials confirmed that they will provide support to Paire if he would like to receive any. Although they didn’t elaborate on what that could entail.
Paire played in the 2016 Olympics where he lost in the second round to Fabio Fognini. Although he was later issued with a provisional suspension for ‘damaging’ the image of the FFT after being booted off the French team for “flouting the rules.”
The 31-year-old is France’s fourth highest ranked player on the ATP Tour. Ahead of him is Adrian Mannarino (No.34), Ugo Humbert (No.31) and Gael Monfils (No.15).
