'The Head Must Follow': Paire 'In Good Place' Following Roland Garros Exit

| by Balasz Virag

Benoit Paire is remaining positive and confident after his disappointing loss to Cameron Norrie at Roland Garros.

The French player has struggled immensely with his tennis since before the pandemic. Paire battled a lack of motivation and playing in empty stands only added to the already existing lack of motivation. Even with the return of spectators, Paire struggled to find a good rhythm producing a good effort once in a blue moon.

He started to turn things around earlier this year by addressing his demons and his tennis did start to look a bit better. Playing back home in France in front of packed stands added to his motivation and he produced a real effort against Norrie. He was on the verge of winning but faltered towards the end allowing Norrie to escape with the win.

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16-Year-Old Prodigy Andreeva Records First-Ever Grand Slam Win At Roland Garros

I'm very happy. I'm coming back little by little in Roland Garros. I'm 149 ranking, and I'm playing against Norrie, who is 13. I lost the match in five sets, so I'm not frustrated. It was a great match on my behalf and on Cameron's behalf. At the beginning of the year I was 250; now I'm 149. I played the challengers, and I'm coming back little by little.

Paire looks very motivated as of recently and that's half the battle when it comes to him. The talent and skill were never in doubt it's just the motivation that lacked for much of the past 3 years, He did have a complaint about the event blasting the quality of the balls while maintaining that it wasn't the reason for his loss. When it comes to his level, he's content.

I can feel that I have the right level. The head must now follow. I'm happy with all the efforts that I've been making for some time. Today it was a great match. It was amazing. I enjoyed myself. I enjoyed myself. Of course, it's a shame that I didn't win. I would have liked to go further, but it's a good Roland Garros, and it's positive for what comes next.

WATCH: 'Unacceptable' Umpire's Bizarre Call Loses Norrie Crucial Point At Roland Garros
WATCH: 'Unacceptable' Umpire's Bizarre Call Loses Norrie Crucial Point At Roland Garros

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