Belfort: “a great reunion” for Tennis player Fabrice Santoro in an exhibition match at the Lion Open

The return to Belfort of a former French Tennis player! Popular in the early 2000s before the arrival of Richard Gasquet or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fabrice Santoro is the godfather of l'Open du Liona national tennis tournament organized by the ASMB Tennis club.

Now retired from the courts at the professional level, the tennis player winner of Roland-Garros in doubles occurs during an exhibition match played this Saturday just after the semi-finals of the men's and women's tournaments.

“I’m always happy to pick up a racket”

Fabrice Santoro expects “nice reunion“with the public, who bore witness to him”lots of support” during his professional career between 1989 and 2010. The double winner of the Davis Cup with the French team (1991 and 2001) particularly keeps “good memories” of his visits to Belfort, both as a player at the Open du Lion or more recently as sponsor of the event.

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Nicknamed “the Magician” by Pete Sampras, the two-handed forehand specialist actually distinguished himself in 2019 during a previous exhibition match played with Arnaud Clément. Fabrice Santoro remembers a very physical moment: “I had some aches the next day. I remember an engaged audience, with a great atmosphere. I hope to find as much warmth again” completes at the microphone France Bleu Belfort-Montbéliard the one who had climbed to 17th place in the ATP rankings in singles.

Fabrice Santoro ‘The Magician’: Brilliant Shots!

Fabrice Santoro plays his role as godfather

The former professional tennis player defends the importance of the Lion Open, a French national tournament counting for the National Circuit of Grands Tournois (CNGT). “All the great French or international tennis players have gone through these stages of national tournaments” recalls Fabrice Santoro.

The spectacle is indeed set to be there for the closing of the 10th edition of the Open du Lion: the finals of the men's and women's draw are played this Sunday at the Résidences de Belfort sports complex. A platform has been set up for the occasion to allow spectators to follow the discussions as best as possible!

Another French tennis reference will also accompany Fabrice Santoro this Saturday: semi-finalist in singles at the Australian Open in 2005, Nathalie Dechy will be on the court for some quality exchanges.