Black clouds are gathering above Roland-Garros and Benoît Paire.
A few days before the start of the Porte d'Auteuil tournament, next Sunday, the world number 25 forfeited when he entered the tournament in Hamburg (Germany).
Exhausted, without envy, the French gave up on Wednesday morning after two sets against Casper Ruud (4-6, 0-2).
This is the third setback in 3 games since the resumption of the season, the second on abandonment.
At the end of this match, Paire announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19.
“When I arrived here I learned that I was still positive for Covid, deplores the person concerned.
The rule being different here in Germany, they let me play, but I was not allowed to leave my room except for an hour to practice.
And for me, life is not that.
"
Without rhythm, due to a disrupted preparation, the virus or the chain of misadventures - first tested positive at the US Open he had been excluded from the tournament and placed in quarantine in his room - he preferred to give up.
“I'm tired, it's hard not being able to go out, having to stay locked up all day.
I had no energy during this game, I couldn't move, so I had to give up.
"
"The only thing I want is to finish this season, and come home"
He seems mostly affected psychologically.
"I was negative after the US Open, negative in France, negative in Rome, and positive in Hamburg, that's all I know, and it's hard to manage, blows the person concerned in conference, who had already displayed his dissatisfaction with the programming of the tournament in Rome last week.
I never know if I can play, my life is not interesting at the moment.
The only thing I want is to finish this season, and come home.
"
His presence at the Roland-Garros tournament is increasingly uncertain.
“It will depend on the result of the test.
If it's negative I'll play, if it's positive I won't play and I'll go home.
Both suit me.
If it's positive I will be able to see my family and my dog, if it's negative I will be on the court to give the best of myself.
Although it certainly won't be the best.
A premature end to the season is not to be ruled out either.
“I'm mentally exhausted, I can't be at my best on the court.
I want to enjoy life a bit, life is not Netflix and the PlayStation in my bedroom.
"