Scandal in Buenos Aires: Benoit Paire scolds, spits and pours
Benoit Paire caused another excitement at the ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 04, 2021, 11:22 pm
Benoit Paire is truly not known for his calm temperament. The Frenchman had already caused a stir in the past, and the 31-year-old added another to his long list of scandal as part of the ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires.
After Paire had won the first set against Francisco Cerundolo, the world rankings were 29. back quickly with a break in the second round. Not really a big problem, especially since the Frenchman found three breakballs at 0: 2 for the immediate rebreak. In the second, Cerundolo served a supposed ace, but Paire saw the serve off the line and asked referee Nacho Forcadell from the chair to confirm his impression.
However, Forcadell saw the ball on the line and drove Paire to white heat: "The ball is here. The ball is here," shouted the 31-year-old visibly excited through the Center Court in Buenos Aires, looking at the print. The official stuck to his decision, which caused Paire to spit on the square.
Paire follows up on Twitter
The French managed the rebreak at the next point with a violent smash, but Paire shouldn't really cool off this Thursday. Cerundolo knew how to make the best use of his opponent's listlessness and quickly took the lead 4: 6, 6: 3 and 5: 1 before Paire should have his last "big" appearance.
With two adventurous double mistakes in a row, the top 30 man gave his opponent the match and the associated quarter-finals. However, Paire did not seem to be permanently hurt by the defeat.
Because immediately after the end of the game, the three-time ATP title holder even added it again on Twitter. "In the end it is worth being bad," wrote the Frenchman, referring to his career prize money (over 8.5 million US dollars). Paire will now need part of this to pay the impending fine.