(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Former world No 18 Benoit Paire has been awarded a main draw wildcard into the French Open, the French Tennis Federation announced. Paire, 34, is currently ranked at No 160 in the world and he didn’t come anywhere near making the main draw cut for the French Open.
Last week, Paire reached the Francavilla Challenger final before losing to Alejandro Tabilo on Sunday. Even though Paire didn’t win it all in Francavilla, it was still a very positive run for the Frenchman. The day after the Francavilla Challenger final, Paire was announced as a French Open main draw recipient.
Benoît Paire reçoit la wild-card Race internationale de la FFT pour Roland-Garros. pic.twitter.com/FW6NCDNglu — Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) May 15, 2023
Paire set for his 14th French Open main draw appearance
Paire made his first French Open appearance in 2008, when he attempted to make the main draw through the qualifying event.
Unfortunately for Paire, he was beaten in the qualifying first round that year. The following year, Paire again failed to make it past the French Open qualifying event. But in 2010, Paire won three qualifying matches to earn his first French Open main draw spot.
Since 2010, Paire has every year featured in the French Open main draw. Now that Paire has received a French Open main draw wildcard, he will be making his 14th consecutive main draw appearance at Roland Garros. Paire, who turned 34 last week, has only once made the second week at the French Open.
In 2019, Paire reached the French Open round-of-16 before suffering a devastating loss to Kei Nishikori. That year, Paire was really close to making his first Grand Slam semifinal as Nishikori edged out the Frenchman 6-2 6-7 (8) 6-2 6-7 (8) 7-5.
In the last few years, Paire hasn’t had much success in the main-level tournaments. But clay is Paire’s favorite surface and there is no doubt that the Frenchman will be extremely motivated to do well at Roland Garros. It remains to be seen how well can Paire do at this year’s French Open.
