Author of a legitimate rant against the French Tennis Federation (FFT) last week, Benoît Paire won his case on Monday. The Avignonnais indeed benefits from the wild card for the final draw of Roland-Garros, which had been prematurely attributed by the FFT to Hugo Gaston. By reaching the final of the challenger of Francavilla (Italy), Benoît Paire (160th world player) doubled on the wire Hugo Gaston (110th) at the Race ATP (104th against 109th), just before the deadline set for this Monday by the FFT.
“Erratum: after verification, the “international circuit” wildcard, initially awarded to Hugo Gaston, goes to Benoît Paire”, specifies the FFT in a press release, thus acknowledging its error in passing. No drama, however, since Hugo Gaston will also integrate the final table of the Parisian Grand Slam, thanks to an invitation from the FFT.
The other French people benefiting from wild-cards are Arthur Cazaux (20 years old, 197th), Arthur Fils (18 years old, 119th, holder of the wild-card Destination Roland-Garros-circuit France), Hugo Grenier (27 years old, 124th) and Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard (19, 233rd). What if a big surprise was hiding in this last-minute guest list at Roland-Garros?