ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 12, 2022

Benoit Paire

Press Conference

L. MUSETTI/B. Paire

6-2, 6-7, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. How do you feel after that match? The second set was a good one. You were really having a good battle. You won that set. But then there was that serve game after being treated for your wrist. What happened?

BENOIT PAIRE: Well, losing is not very bad. What I'm interested in is what I'm doing in my practices. Yesterday I had a beautiful practice session, and today on the court I feel heavy, I can't move.

This has been happening since the beginning of the year. As soon as I have a match point or a break point, I feel a lot of pressure. I shouldn't have that pressure, because my career is behind me. I don't know why I have that pressure.

Of course I was injured, I played three times, I had an infiltration three weeks ago, but I came here, was lucky to be able to play, it was a beautiful day although it was a bit windy, but it's difficult because when I play a match, I don't feel good with myself. I don't understand why, because I practice well, I play well when I train, but matches are difficult for me.

Q. Can you explain the tension?

BENOIT PAIRE: No, I have no word for it. I just see what is happening for me to win a set point. I need the opponent to make a mistake, otherwise I can't win. All those latest matches I played I was up and almost going to win them and I ended up losing them.

I remember in South America, it was the same. Sometimes I'm up 5-4 in the last set and I lose it, et cetera, et cetera. 6-2, 5-2, and I lose. Miami, the same thing. I have many losses.

But when I practice, my level is quite high. I feel confident during practice. But in a match, if I'm able to break back, my next serve game I make three double faults.

In the third set here, it all depended on my serve. I made two double faults for a start and I lost the match.

Q. When you say your career is behind you, it means something.

BENOIT PAIRE: I do have ambitions. I'm happy with what I'm doing. But I just see what is happening. I'm making a lot of efforts, so I can't be criticized for not doing what I have to do.

I practice twice a day. I go to the gym. But you can practice as long as you want. If you don't feel good on the court when you're playing a match, it's useless. In the end I was playing better when I was practicing less. I always hated to lose, and now I don't feel angry when I lose. It's rather a disappointment. Yesterday I was hitting hard, I was running around in practice, and today I wasn't able to run anymore on the court.

Q. Before entering the court, do you feel pressure?

BENOIT PAIRE: Well, yes. It's the same when I had my driving test or when people go to an exam at university, they feel anxious. Well, instead of thinking the court is great, there is a good crowd, it's beautiful weather, instead of thinking that, I start asking myself questions about my forehand, about my backhand. I didn't ask myself those questions before.

It's a pity, because I feel physically good and my tennis is good. But when I'm on the court, I feel heavy, I feel tired. This is what is tough.

Q. Shouldn't you see a counselor?

BENOIT PAIRE: I don't know. I don't know what to do. I tried to have a coach. I had one for Indian Wells and Miami. It was Edouard's coach. But what happens is in my mind.

I don't want to go and see a psychologist. I'm not interested. It's going to come back. I won only two matches this year. I just need to win one or two matches and things will be good again. Maybe I should go on a challenger to get my confidence back, because I know I play well.

Q. About your technical team, what are you going to do? Are you going to hire someone?

BENOIT PAIRE: I'm with my brother right now, and I will go with my family. I'm trying to relax, and I will try to have some holidays too. I'm doing what I can. It's not working out right now, but, well, the match was correct but I didn't win today.

Q. About Jo, French tennis is going to lose him. Some players say he was like a brother.

BENOIT PAIRE: Honestly, I couldn't care less. It's his career. Times are difficult for me too. Of course Jo was a great player, very good tennis man. We'll see when he stops. But for the time being I'm focusing on myself.

Q. One last question. There are no French players left in Monte-Carlo.

BENOIT PAIRE: I just don't care.