A return more than an induction.
Cédric Pioline was named, this Wednesday, at the head of the Masters 1000 of tennis organized each autumn in Paris.
Twice winner of the Davis Cup (1996) and double Grand Slam finalist (US Open 1993, Wimbledon 1997), the former player returns to service at the age of 52 at the helm of a competition he has already co-piloted from 2003 to 2009.
“With his experience as a former professional player and co-director of the Parisian Masters 1000, he has real expertise for this position.
With his exemplary state of mind and his great determination, I am convinced that he will take up this new challenge successfully.
I wish him a lot of success,” said Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation.
The latter had accepted the stormy resignation in December of Guy Forget, who was in charge of both this event and Roland-Garros.
After Amélie Mauresmo named Porte d'Auteuil, it is therefore another former French glory who will embody the Rolex Paris Masters.
“I am very honored to have been chosen by the FFT to become the new director of the Rolex Paris Masters from 2022. It is a very exciting challenge ahead for me.
This tournament is a benchmark and has immense potential.
I therefore give you an appointment from October 29 to November 6 at the Accor Arena,” thanked Cédric Pioline.
Always remained close to the authorities, he was responsible for the high level men at the FFT from 2007 to 2009 and assistant captain of the Blues of the Davis Cup from 2016 to 2018, alongside Yannick Noah.
Read alsoTennis: ego wars, Pandora Papers… the reasons for Guy Forget's departure
This change of era within the Federation accelerated last December.
Guy Forget announced his departure due to deep disagreements with the new boss Gilles Moretton elected in February 2021. “Communication never existed with him.
And clearly, I felt that there was no trust”, he lamented, quickly supported by Yannick Noah for whom his friend had just “got kicked out of the tennis family…”.
Some at the Federation have, for their part, pointed the finger at Forget's high salary which would have prompted the new management to offer him a new contract revised downwards.