'I sang the Marseillaise during the match and I loved it'
After a first day cut short by the weather conditions, the players were able to inaugurate the outside courts at Roland Garros on Sunday. This was a godsend, especially for the French representatives, who were loudly supported in their first day of competition.
"To the singing of the Marseillaise on a boiling hot Court 7, the first French player to get started on Sunday was Corentin Moutet (of seven French players scheduled in singles and on duo in doubles). He did the job, and provided a great show.
Between sumptuous drop shots, underarm serves and powerful forehands, Moutet got the better of a very valiant Sumit Nagal 6-2 2-6 7-5 in 2 hours 28 minutes and fully enjoyed the crazy atmosphere.
"The people were behind me, they supported me, even in the second set and at the beginning of the third when I was broken," he said. “They helped me to raise my level and my desire… When you put on this kit, you feel responsibility. I don't play for myself, I play for my country and you have to do the maximum." He will face Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.
Tokyo 2020 quarterfinalist Ugo Humbert recalled some very good memories from the last Games by getting the better of Fabian Marozsan 6-3 6-2 on Sunday. "Last time, I came close to a medal and I was disappointed because I was only one match away from being able to play a medal match," he recalled. It's something that is close to my heart here in Paris, I will try to get the win in every match."
Seeded tenth in the men's singles, Humbert happily took on the challenge and filled the hearts of his supporters with joy, singing the national anthem in the middle of the match.
"I've never taken so many selfies in my life! In fact, I couldn't do everything because I was asked to leave the court, there was another match afterwards!” Humbert said. “But I was very happy to be able to spend time with the fans at the end of the match. The atmosphere was incredible. People are very close on Court 14 and I managed to take their energy to play a solid match. I love playing for France, I wanted to live this moment to the fullest, I sang the Marseillaise during the match and I loved it."
Happiness, songs, flags and a rooster
Paris 2024 is even more special for Diane Parry, who trained at a tennis court in Boulogne-Billancourt, the French suburb where Roland Garros is.
"I have a big family so I was afraid I wouldn't be able to bring everyone! My loved ones were here today, you can't dream of a better situation for the first Olympic Games. It's an incredible strength and even they are enjoying this moment to the fullest. To have them behind me is crazy."
Relatives and fans helped her to defeat Nadia Podoroska 7-6(6) 7-5 and to book herself a prestigious duel in the second round against... Poland’s Iga Swiatek.
It was the same for Clara Burel, whose eyes were shining after her victory over Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova. "We're in France, it's the Games, we have a lot of support, and it makes you want to do well. We watch all the sports… yesterday we were in front of rugby, fencing. I find myself watching sports that I am not used to following! Last night, we were disappointed watching the fencing final... That's the magic of the Olympics!"
Despite the atmosphere and unfailing support, Varvara Gracheva could not resist the Beatriz Haddad Maia hurricane, triggered by hundreds of Brazilian fans in the stands. Arthur Fils was also beaten by Matteo Arnaldi, as at 2024 Roland Garros.
Gaël Monfils was soundly beaten by Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti. But the Parisian showman made up for it by holding back the night with his doubles partner, Edouard Roger-Vasselin. The pair, who formed at the last minute due to an injury to Fabien Reboul, set the Suzanne-Lenglen court on fire, defeating the Indian pairing of Nsriram Balaji and Rohan Bopanna.
"Gaël was huge, the crowd was exceptional, and we played a very good match," smiled ‘ERV’. “What happiness on the court, songs, flags, a rooster! Incredible… I’ve wanted to play with Gaël for a long time, we've never tried it and then we had to! We laughed on the court, we were working hard but there was also a lot of good humour. it was an incredible thrill today."
A pleasure and a dream that ‘Les Bleus’ will try to extend as long as possible.