Mannarino smiles again: "I felt like I couldn't give my 100% anymore"

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Adrian Mannarino has become one of the standout names of this Rolex Paris Masters 2024. Something completely unexpected, as the Frenchman arrived at this final stop of the calendar after a season plagued with injuries, doubts, defeats, and a long streak that even made him contemplate accepting his professional end. But what was really happening to him? This afternoon in Paris-Bercy, he had the opportunity to sit before the press and explain all the demons he has been dragging throughout this calendar, until finally this week the stars aligned again to allow him, even if only for moments, the privilege of enjoying himself on the court.

“I haven’t won many matches this year, but everything has its explanation,” the Frenchman expressed after defeating Tommy Paul (6-3, 7-5) and Zizou Bergs (3-6, 6-2, 6-4) in the main draw. “I suffered a significant foot injury playing in Miami; I thought it would be a matter of a few weeks, but then the reality was that I needed a few months to find myself again properly. When I was able to play again, I barely won matches. I lost many times due to circumstances similar to today's, three-set duels, which led me to have many negative thoughts, to the point of thinking that each match would end in the same way, with a loss,” recalls the Soisy-sous-Montmorency native about that dark period of the season where he admits he entered the court already defeated.

“I've had many physical problems, that's the truth; there were hardly any moments when I felt in top form,” he emphasized after earning a 17-31 record pending the outcome he may have this week at the year's final Masters 1000 event. “I didn't feel like I could give my 100% on the court; that feeling was frustrating. Even on the days I stepped onto the court, my average level was lower than usual. Now things seem to be better, although I still don't feel as I would like to. I managed to play without thinking too much, but without any foot or knee issues, as these were the biggest challenges I had to face throughout the season. For now, it seems like that's under control,” discreetly celebrates the man who was ranked #17 in the world last February.

EXCITED ABOUT FRENCH TENNIS

Many things have changed since that February, starting with the rankings. Mannarino, who once was the country's top racket, now at 36 years old, is fighting not to drop out of the top 60. However, his personal rough patch doesn't stop him from smiling when asked about the good moment French tennis is experiencing in this latest edition of the Bercy tournament. Names like Fils, Rinderknech, Perricard, or Humbert are exciting the local fans in recent hours, but only the local fans. Mannarino himself praises his compatriots, although he is within that group of names dreaming of advancing in the draw.

“Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert have an incredible level of play; it's quite logical that they have come this far. As for the others, Arthur Rinderknech and I, it's quite surprising that we have reached this level to advance to this round in the main draw. We are at the end of the year; many players have retired; in Bercy, we know there are always surprises. Sometimes the draw opens up, so it's time for other players to seize their opportunities. We'll see how everything turns out in the end, but it's something great and encouraging for French tennis to find new players who can go far in these types of tournaments,” concluded the man who will now face Jordan Thompson.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mannarino vuelve a sonreír: “Sentí que ya no podría volver a dar mi 100%”