Benoit Paire and Rafael Nadal live in 2 completely different worlds and Rafa’s uncle could not refrain from venting his idea about Benoit’s erratic behavior.
The Frenchman has a depressing 1-7 win-loss record in 2021 and he seems unable to find the way to focus during his tennis matches. Paire badly tanked his match against Francisco Cerundolo in Buenos Aires (4-6 6-3 6-1) and the last few points in his match against Stefanos Tsitsipas ended 6-3 6-1.
Paire controversial statement
Benoit had a controversial interview with L’Equipe as he candidly stated that he has been putting not much effort into his matches as anyway there is not so much to earn with the currently reduce prize money all over in the various tournaments.
“I lost in the first round in Acapulco, so much the better: I will be able to get out of the bubble pretty quickly and enjoy a few days before reaching Miami,” he commented.
Tennis is not my priority right now. Getting out of the bubble is the only goal I have in every tournament. I arrive, pocket my money and go to the next tournament. I do my job. Anyone who wins an ATP 250 tournament receives only $ 30,000. With these defeats, I managed to earn about 10,000. Why work so hard to earn just a little more
?”The reaction of Toni Nadal
Paire’s behavior is in stark contrast with Nadal’s work ethic. His Uncle Toni, talking to Antena 3 Deportes, commented:
“I think it wasn’t fair at all. With his words, she is doing neither tennis nor his person any favors. He placed little value on the efforts and sacrifices of his colleagues. The truth is that he would have done better to keep certain statements and ideas to himself.”
Next vs. Lorenzo Musetti?
Paire may face new Italian sensation Lorenzo Musetto in the 2nd round of the Miami Open. Benoit Paire and Lorenzo Musetti have never played each other. Since Paire will start his Miami Open from the 2nd round (he has a bye), he is guaranteed to earn $16,000 unless he is fined for lack of effort or something else.
Benoit Paire in 2021
At the moment ranked no.33, Benoit played his last match on the 16th of March when he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-1 in the 1st round in Acapulco (draw).
Currently, during this year the French player achieved an overall 1-7 record.
Lorenzo Musetti in 2021
Now ranked no.94 (career-high), Lorenzo played his last match on the 19th of March when he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1 6-3 in the semifinal in Acapulco (draw).
At the moment, during this season Musetti has managed to achieve a 16-7 win-loss record. Lorenzo Musetti’s best result of the present year was getting to the final in the Antalya Challenger and the Biella 2 Challenger.
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Now ranked no.3, Rafael played his last match on the 17th of February when he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).
At the moment, during this season Nadal has a 4-1 record.
Rafael Nadal and Benoit Paire at the French Open |
| Embed from Getty Images |