Benoit Paire explains what makes Big Three 'special'

Former world No. 18 Benoit Paire insists he respects the new generation but underlines that there is something special in the Big Four -- Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. 

The Tour is going through weird times as Djokovic, Nadal and Federer all skipped the Toronto Masters and Cincinnati Masters. 

Djokovic is expected to return to action at the US Open but Nadal and Federer are out for the season. 

"It's true the new generation is good and I respect them," Paire noted, per Ravi Ubha. "I remember the time when I found myself in the semi-finals of Rome in 2013 with Nadal, Federer and Djokovic along with me -- they're guys who make their presence felt in a different way. I'll miss them. I really like the new generation but there's not the effervescence that there was with Nadal, Djokovic and Murray -- all those guys -- as soon as they were playing, the crowds were crazy. It was quiet before they walked into the stadium, and then it was a standing ovation for all the big players on the big courts. It was a special situation." 

Paire enjoyed a good Cincinnati campaign 

Paire clinched a few big wins at the Cincinnati Masters as he beat Miomir Kecmanovic, world No. 10 Denis Shapovalov and former Wimbledon semifinalist John Isner en route to making the quarterfinal. 

"I'm enjoying so much playing in front of people again, being able to go out in streets, go to fast-food and get back to a life I love. That's why results are back. I'm happy to have my tennis back and my joy of being on a court," Paire told L'Equipe, as revealed on We Are Tennis.

After stunning No. 6 seed Shapovalov, Paire had a message for critics and doubters. 

"I heard a lot that I was no longer a tennis player:' 'Paire this, Paire that.' 'Now that tennis is back to normal (less bubbles), I managed to beat a top 10," Paire told L'Equipe, as revealed on We Love Tennis France.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3sLTKyT