Benoit Paire has been known to be a temperamental player. The 32-year-old from France has often been in trouble with the authorities for his volatile nature, and today was just another instance of bad behavior from Paire. All hell broke loose for the Frenchman at his Round of 32 match at the Estoril Open, against South Korean Kwon Soon-woo.

Benoit Paire loses his cool, again

Paire was playing his first match at the Estoril Open and predictions had set him up to be the winner against the lower-ranked South Korean. But he started getting agitated after losing the first set. This got further exacerbated when things stopped going his way. He lost four set points in the second set and then proceeded to get a point penalty following a double fault.

He then tried to leave the match, but was stopped by the umpire, and had to complete the match amidst heavy booing from the audience. Paire then in a bizarre mark of protest proceeded to show his behind to the crowd, as if to disrespect them.

This gesture has earned him a lot of flak. His inbox has been flooded by fans and supporters voicing their own opinions about this incident, and while some found it funny, for most the reaction has not been as favorable.

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He then proceeded to share some of the texts he had received from his own profile, which was yet another unique way to stage a protest.

Also read: ‘I Feel Heavy, Tired’ – Benoit Paire Opens Up About the Chaos in His Head Following Back-To-Back Losses

Benoit’s behaviour a culmination of his season?

Benoit Paire’s 2022 season has been terrible. He could not make much of a headway in Monte Carlo, losing to Lorenzo Musetti, in the first round. His performances at the Miami Open and Indian Wells before that were also dismal. He recently also opened up about his mental health struggles, following this lackluster season.

“Well, instead of thinking the court is great, there is a good crowd, it’s beautiful weather, instead of thinking that, I start asking myself questions about my forehand, about my backhand,” he said. I didn’t ask myself those questions before. It’s a pity because I feel physically good and my tennis is good. But when I’m on the court, I feel heavy, I feel tired. This is what is tough,” the Frenchman added.

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Here is hoping that he finds his footing and can maintain his calm on the courts, for the matches to come.