Benoit Paire hit back at his critics after earning his first tour-level win since 2022. The Frenchman came from behind to defeat Andy Murray 2-6 7-6(5) 6-3 in Montpellier. The former world No. 18 later said he always hears “criticisms that I only drink alcohol and that there’s no point in me playing tennis” as he explained why he continued to push on after spending a year on the Challenger circuit.
Paire earned a long-awaited victory in the opening round of the Open Sud de France as he upset No. 5 seed Murray on Monday. It marked the 34-year-old’s first win on the ATP Tour since the 2022 Washington Open, where he beat Peter Gojowczyk in round one. Since then, Paire’s ranking has dropped to No. 112 in the world.
The Frenchman spent most of 2023 on the Challenger circuit, needing to qualify for tour-level events and Grand Slams apart from the French Open, where he received a wildcard and lost to Cameron Norrie. Paire just managed to get into the main draw in Montpellier with his own ranking this week and made the most of it by beating Murray.
After ending his 18-month wait for a match win, Paire revealed that he had faced criticism from those who thought he only drinks alcohol instead of focusing on his tennis. “It’s difficult, yes. I was 18th in the world, I played in big tournaments. And I end up only playing Challengers for a year,” the three-time title winner told L’Equipe after his emotional win in Montpellier.
“And against guys who play well. And I continually hear these criticisms that I only drink alcohol and that there’s no point in me playing tennis… On a daily basis, it’s difficult.” The 34-year-old has been open about his tendency to go out every so often, even joking that he was left “in the gutter” after a booze session with three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the past.
But Paire didn’t want people to think that means he doesn’t take his tennis seriously, as he continued to plug away in the hope of scoring a big win – something he believes he did against Murray. He continued: “But I find that I made a lot of effort and I am rewarded for it. In addition, I didn’t have any pain in my Achilles tendon, so everything is positive and it will remain a great victory.
“That’s why I still play tennis. I still have the passion for tennis, the desire to play on big courts and have big matches. I play for that, not to play Challengers. I think I still have the level to play the tournaments I like. Physically, and if my head is good, I think I can still achieve good results. I don’t want to end up in smaller tournaments and have regrets.”
Paire explained that he was forced to drop down to Challenger level to pick up extra points so he could move up the rankings, though he failed to meet his target of returning to the world’s top 100 by the end of 2023. After a “magic” win over Murray, the former world No. 18 could complete his goal very soon.
“This victory proves to me that when the head and physique are there, I am still capable of making big shots,” he explained. “Okay, Murray may be at the end of his career, but he’s still a tough player to beat. I had a great performance. I like playing this type of opponent. And on a big court, I am capable of doing great things. But to play on a big court, you have to go through the Challenger again and it wasn’t easy.”
Paire will now face fellow Frenchman Harold Mayot for a spot in the quarter-final. Mayot received a wildcard into Montpellier and beat another compatriot – Lucas Pouille – in the first round.
