The French No.2 Adrian Mannarino will not participate in the tennis events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which will be played on the clay court which he loathes, “unless… winning Roland Garros”, he joked on Friday after his elimination of entry to Rome. Which could help Arthur Cazaux realize his Olympic dream.
“If I don’t win Roland Garros, I don’t think I will participate,” at the 2024 Olympics (July 26-August 11), Mannarino said. On Friday, he was eliminated from the Masters 1000 in Rome by the Chinese Zizhen Zhang (56th in the world) 6-1, 6-3 and has still not won a single match in eight appearances at the Foro Italico on Roman clay.
Mannarino, 21st in the world, is virtually qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, since he is among the four best French people in the ATP rankings according to the criteria established by the International Tennis Federation. But he prefers to leave his place, without any regrets.
Mannarino more comfortable on hard and grass
“All the players at my level, we are great competitors, making an appearance, an act of presence, that does not interest us”he explained. “If I don’t have the sporting means to win a medal and if it’s just to say “I made the Olympics”, that doesn’t interest me at all”continued “Manna”, much more comfortable on hard and grass.
“It would also be taking the place of someone who potentially would have a chance of having a good competition, I don’t want to be selfish”. However, he has not yet informed the French Tennis Federation of his decision: “I still have the chance to win Roland-Garros, I still potentially have a chance to make the Games”he concluded with a smile.
Cazaux in ambush
This withdrawal in any case suits Arthur Cazaux since the Montpellier resident is fourth and last Frenchman, excluding Mannarino of course. Currently 75th in the world, Cazaux could therefore qualify for the Olympic Games if he is inside the cut, which would be around 65th place in the world.
But be careful, Arthur Rinderknech is in ambush not far away although he lost in Rome in the first round of the Rome tournament, therefore not scoring a single point this week.
Especially since the Héraultais was unable to participate in the tournaments in Madrid and Rome, due to an ankle injury contracted at the Barcelona tournament. All of which still makes Montpellier’s participation in the next Roland-Garros uncertain, even though any point will be good to take with a view to the Olympic Games.
