This month of October, the Paris-Bercy sports center is organizing a farewell party. For the 39e and last but not least, the Parisian venue welcomes within its walls the Paris Masters 1000, one of the most important tournaments on the little yellow ball calendar. And among the stars of the circuit, the French did not miss their last meeting with the venerable venue: five of them qualified for the round of 16, which begins Thursday October 31.
Also read the story: Article reserved for our subscribers Tennis: Leconte, Forget, Pioline, Tsonga… they tell “their” Bercy, between arms of honor, ice rink and “monumental fiesta”
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The funeral therefore takes on the air of a new lease of life for French tennis more accustomed to wet firecrackers than to fireworks in recent times. In 2023, Ugo Humbert was the only Blue to win a match in the main draw of the now named Rolex Paris Masters, and was eliminated in the next one. This time, Messin did not make any details in the second round, promptly crushing the American Marcos Giron on the cramped court number 1 (6-3, 6-2).
Ugo Humbert had a very special motivation when he set foot on the court: the field precisely. “I am French number 1. I deserved to play on the [court] central of Bercy. I've been waiting for this since the start of the year. It's my favorite tournament. I was obviously disappointed with the programming and a little surprised”he explained at a press conference. Amateur – and host – of overheated atmospheres, Ugo Humbert finds his happiness on the center court, where the spectators are always quick to push the French. Less on the two annexes.
Their size (less than 2,000 places in total for both) is jarring for a tournament of this ilk – the second highest level after the four Grand Slams. And their height under the ceiling does not meet the ATP criteria. If the body governing the men's circuit turned a blind eye until now by offering the Paris tournament an exemption in recent seasons, it will soon no longer need it. From next year, “Bercy” is packing its boxes, heading to the immense Paris La Défense Arena and its 40,000 seats (concert system).
The French next generation shines
The move to Nanterre is accompanied by a wave of memories. “It’s really special as a short. Somewhat surprising things often happen here in Bercy, remembers Adrian Mannarino, also qualified for the eighth for his thirteenth participation. When I think of Bercy, I really think of the central court. »
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