The Paris 2024 campaign didn’t go well for the French. While Roger Federer‘s former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, played a huge role in the French tennis Olympics display, he recently came out to talk about the main issue in the open. Not only that, as he resigned from the French tennis president’s position, he openly criticized the country’s tennis scene, leaving no stone unturned.

Nearly a day ago, Roger Federer’s old coach announced his retirement as the French Olympic captain in the wake of the nation’s poor performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The former world No. 3 started working with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) two years ago when he took on the position of “Director of Ambition 2024.”

However, just a day after putting in his resignation, he lashed out at French tennis to the fullest. He stated, “I have no problem continuing to help the young players, to organize things at the CNE. But the French team for me, between the captains and the coaches, I can’t even talk to the players so it’s not acceptable to be responsible for something you can’t change.”

On the other hand, he added, “That’s our level. We don’t have any players in the Top 10 and we know the results at Roland-Garros in recent years. So winning a medal is complicated. But I had the motivation to do a little better (than any quarter-finalist). Maybe not the medal. But better.” Subsequently, the 42-year-old tennis legend ex-coach also quit after acknowledging he did not properly prepare the players.

Ljubicic looked into the matter further and found that four of the doubles pairings had not played a match prior to the competition, indicating serious weaknesses in their training. No doubles team was able to win more than once. In the second round, Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz defeated Gael Monfils and Roger-Vasselin. Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen defeated Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils in their opening game.

Following that, Diane Parry and Caroline Garcia defeated Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in their opening encounter in the women’s doubles division. But things were very different a few months ago, and even Federer’s former coach was optimistic about the French squad going to the Olympics. The former world No. 3, who was the French Tennis Federation’s director back then, spoke firmly about his plans to bring French tennis back to its previous splendor.

Roger Federer’s ex-coach was firm about bringing French tennis back

While now the situation is all messed up, in May things were different, and the 20-time Grand Slam champion looked on the brighter side of the event. He stated, “It may be easier for the French to pull off a surprise at the Olympics than at the French Open.”

Apparently, top players are more accustomed to clay courts and longer tournaments at the French Open, but the Olympics provide distinct chances and challenges. The national team spirit and the shorter, more competitive matches can spur surprise performances, but they also lost their motivation and their opportunity to win gold.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the French tennis player’s performance at the Olympics? Do let us know in the comment section below.