‘I don’t give a damn. The circuit has become rotten,’ says Benoit Paire after Monte-Carlo Masters defeat

ATP Tour

Shahida Jacobs
April 12, 2021

Benoit Paire once again didn’t hold back in his criticism of life on the ATP Tour after his Monte-Carlo Masters exit as he revealed there was a “sad atmosphere” at the ATP Masters 1000 event.

The Frenchman has been very outspoken about the state of affairs on the Tour due to the strict health and safety measures implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He admitted after his first-round exit from the Mexican Open that “tennis is not my priority” and “getting out of the bubble is the only goal I have at every tournament”.

And so far he has succeeded as he has won only one singles match in 2021.

His latest defeat was a 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-5) loss as he made 74 unforced errors against Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the first round in the Principality.

“I don’t give a damn. I still have doubles to play here and after that, I clear off home,” the world No 35 said.

“I can say nothing on the match. Tennis doesn’t make me happy anymore. To be here is an absolute sadness because it’s usually the best tournament in the world.

“I don’t give a damn, fight or not fight. They say it’s Monte Carlo, but we are playing in a sad atmosphere. That’s how it is, the circuit has become rotten. Winning or losing in such conditions, I don’t care. I no longer have the spark.”

He added: “I took €12,000 to be in a quiet hotel, then I go home. The Rainier Court, on the shores of the Mediterranean, is normally the most beautiful court in the world, but this year it’s the atmosphere of a cemetery. So the only moment of happiness is when I’m at home, when I don’t put on my mask, that I don’t give a damn about the Covid.”

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Benoit Paire