At Roland Garros
Even if his recent results do not predict a good run at Roland-Garros this year, Benoît Paire had promised whatever happens with the home show when speaking to his fans on social networks last week. “I’m not at my best mentally, but let’s have an amazing time together!! I don’t promise you the best tennis match of your life, but let’s set this court on fire and love it!!!”, had launched the 78th player in the world.
The message was received five out of five by the Parisian public who transformed Monday evening from the Simonne-Mathieu court into a pressure cooker ready to explode. Even if the match against the Russian was not played in front of full stands, the heated atmosphere could be heard from the Philippe-Chatrier court where Djokovic was battling in the night session.
For some years now, the incorrigible French player has managed to unite behind him a small army of loyal fans who have transformed the court into a football stadium with stands even answering one after the other to the sound of “Allez Benoît! » how the Ultras do it regularly in Ligue 1 to support their team.
Sometimes dissipated, part of the public even began to dance and sing in small wild clusters, encouraged by the fog horns resounding in the heart of the night. An unwavering support which however did not allow Benoît Paire to start his match well. Borrowed, the French dropped the first set 3-6 against Belarusian Ilya Ivashka but was leading 2-1 before the rain arrived at Porte d’Auteuil. The match was interrupted and will resume on Tuesday in an atmosphere that promises to be incandescent. The Benoît Paire show may just be getting started.
