“We have Pau to be there.
The French supporters displayed the color during the first single between Arthur Rinderknech (59th in the world) and Emilio Gomez (144th), won by the Frenchman 6-2, 7-5.
They are the ones who are the center of attention this weekend.
Because this France-Ecuador is a play-off poster, unbalanced on paper, the best Ecuadorian player being ranked 144th.
A gap demonstrated on the court by Rinderknech who quickly led 4-0, before winning the first set 6-2.
But the main thing is elsewhere for tennis fans.
Camille Matthieu, a member of the only group of supporters of the French tennis team (ASEFT) since 2004, explains: “We haven't met for more than two and a half years.
It is a special and moving moment.
»
Admittedly, the Palais des Sports in Pau, where the French team has not played since 2006 (a 4-1 defeat against Russia) was far from full, although it can accommodate 7,500 spectators.
But the supporters were able to make themselves heard.
Brigitte Valade, member of the office of this association of supporters, announced the color to us on Thursday "We prepared banners, cheerleaders in blue-white-red, hats with the name of an associated player, and puns with the city of Pau.
»
Read alsoSuspension of the vaccination pass: Djokovic will be able to line up at Roland-Garros
This is what we were able to hear, in addition to the traditional chants “Qui ne saute pas n'est pas français.
intoned during the second set or Rinderknech was a little more jostled by his South American opponent.
He also had to save two set points at 4-5 on his serve.
Before finally concluding 7 games to 5, and bringing the first point to the Blues.
This second point the native of Gassin may have been looking for it with the public.
The Davis Cup temporarily returns to the home-away format that made the charm of a competition celebrating its 122 years.
Because French supporters had deserted the stands of the main tennis team competition since 2018. In question the closed doors imposed by the pandemic, as in Innsbruck last November, and the new format voted by the ITF in 2018 "not respecting more the spirit of the Davis Cup, according to Camille, with matches in neutral cities where the public is not passionate”.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: at the front, ex-tennis player Stakhovsky hopes not to "have to use a firearm"
Arthur Rinderknech knew that his second selection would be the opposite of the first in the fall of 2021, behind closed doors: “I will be able to give it my all and above all take maximum pleasure.
Nicolas Mahut, who has experienced both formats, is delighted: “The youngest will be able to discover what the real Davis Cup is.
The version remodeled by Gérard Piqué, potentially relocated to Abu Dhabi in 2022, is very far from the Pau context in which the French supporters have set the mood.
The actors of this dam did not however ignore the geopolitical context of the moment.
Fans and players showed their support.
With Ukrainian flags in the stands, a NO (No war) symbol on the masks of Ecuadorian players, and the colors of Ukraine worn on the equipment of officials and players.
Brigitte Valade of ASEFT confided that this atmosphere was likely to be felt “It's true that we sometimes say to ourselves that the climate will be less conducive to celebrating this weekend.
“Despite everything, the reunion with the Blues was beautiful.
The Pau Sports Palace was half full.
This did not prevent a nice atmosphere.
(Photo by Pierre Costabadie/Icon Sport) 2022 Icon Sport
In case of qualification (we still have to score two points by tomorrow), it is a meeting on neutral ground that will have to be played in September.
Not the same flavor.
So do the fans want France to lose this weekend?
“No says Brigitte, we are there to help them win” But Camille did not hide “When we learned in Innsbruck that there would be a dam with this format, we had a smile of satisfaction.
Tributes, emotion, and a paradox.
This is what surrounds the reunion of the France team with its public.
They are currently well underway.
