Benoit Paire earned his first tour-level victory since August 2022 on Monday. He defeated the former world number one Andy Murray by 2-6,7-6(5),6-3 in a 2 hour and 43 minutes encounter in the first round of Open Sud de France. After this emphatic victory, Paire took a jibe at the boozing accusations he has faced throughout the last few years.

The 34-year-old Frenchman turned pro in 2007 and has won only 3 singles titles and 1 doubles title so far in his career. He was competing in his first tour-level match since the 2023 French Open. A win against Murray in his comeback match has now put him on the front foot as he gives it back to haters.

Benoit Paire reveals his passion for tennis

Benoit Paire fought hard to land his first Top 50 win since the 2022 Australian Open. He has fond memories from Montpellier, where he reached the finals in 2013. Fans came out in numbers to cheer for the local lad, whereas Murray was booed after his surprising loss to the world number 112. But what did Benoit say about all the accusations that were put on his name over these years?

“I continually hear these criticisms that I only drink alcohol and that there is no point in me playing tennis. On a daily basis, it is difficult. I still have a passion for tennis. I play for that, not to play Challengers,” Benoit said in French after the match.

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Benoit Paire will next be up against a French wild card, Harold Mayot or Lucas Pouille, in the second round of the tournament. After this victory against the former World No. 1, he’s confident for the future.

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Paire feels good after his long-awaited win

Benoit Paire became an exhibition performer at the later stages of his career. His brand of tennis has now become a full-on entertainment for tennis fans. Paire recently posted a picture of him on his Instagram account, where he was seen celebrating his win over the British superstar. He wrote, “A victory that feels good..”.

However, this didn’t come overnight, the Frenchman had once shared that the main change he made to his life was snapping out of his drinking habit. He gave an interview a year ago, where he said, “As the head was fine, I said to myself: ‘Stop the alcohol a little too.’ I did a detox. It’s not that I was an alcoholic, but I drank a lot, I liked it, I did too much when I often partied. I didn’t set myself any limits. It paid off, I was able to lose a few pounds.“

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Benoit Paire is looking in good touch at the moment. Can Paire win his 4th singles on his home soil this time? Share your thoughts in the comment box.