Former world No. 18 Benoit Paire admitted that his “demons” returned during his US Open first round match versus Cameron Norrie and now he is hinting that his season may be over. On Tuesday, Paire suffered another devastating loss in 2022 as Norrie handed him a 6-0 7-6 (1) 6-0 loss.
After getting destroyed in the first set, Paire claimed his first break of the match in the eighth game to open a 5-3 second set lead. But when the moment came for Paire to serve out for the second set, he started making unforced errors and Norrie broke back to eventually force a tie-break, where the Frenchman kept missing and lost the second set.
Paire is having a really difficult season as he is just 4-22 on the main level this year. Closing out sets and matches has been a struggle for Paire throughout the entire season as his hand gets tight whenever he is position to win a set or a match.
Paire: My demons returned
“I was leading 5-3, I could have taken the second set, it would have done me good in the head, but my demons came back again, the double faults, and it starts all the time the same,” Paire told L’Equipe, as quoted on Tennis365.
“We’ll see what happens. I’m not sure to continue the season, maybe stop there and see if I resume next year. Even at Grand Slams, I find it difficult to fight. I hope one day to find a motivation, something that will make me love tennis.
Right now, I’m the happiest when I’m at home and the unhappiest when I’m in the tournament. I don’t even want to get angry on a tennis court any more. It’s not a good sign – if I don’t get angry, it’s because I don’t care”. Paire’s ranking has taken a big hit in 2022 as he is now the 173rd-ranked player in the world.
