Tennis. At the Toulouse-Balma Internationals, Théo Arribagé finally wants to take off
Qualified yesterday for the main draw in the super tie-break, the Stade Toulousain player, 354th in the world in doubles, will try to win his first ATP point in singles.
“I have to admit that it’s the doubles that I enjoy the most. So it remains my priority in my programming. But I finally want to get that first ATP point in individual. “Today, for the seventh time in his career on the pro circuit (since 2015), Théo Arribagé (21) finds himself in the first round of a final table. And later, on the center court of the Toulouse-Balma Internationals, the Stade Toulousain member will be aiming for his first victory in a “main draw”. For this, he will have to sign the feat against the Italian Stefano Napolitano, 492nd in the world (former 152nd in 2017) and seeded N.1.
“Playing here, at the Balma League Center, on these hard covered courts, is always special for me. I live a few minutes from the tournament. In addition, it is an opportunity for my relatives to come and see my singles or doubles matches. I’m not saying that I play for them (smile). But I like to feel supported. I need it to be well on the ground”, named the Stadiste, yesterday, after his success in the last round of the “qualifiers” against Marco De Rossi (1,293rd, San Marino).
But under the eyes of his father and his grandparents, the Stadiste was still hot by winning thanks to the super tie-break (4-6, 6-2, 10-7). “In doubles, we are often faced with this kind of scenario where the decision will be played in ten points. So I’m used to these situations. On this part, I’m happy because I still managed to keep my composure”, he added.
“The top 200 in doubles by the end of the year”
For the Balman stage, Theo is obviously registered in doubles. Last October, on the previous edition of the ITTB, he had also been crowned alongside Arthur Reymond. This time, he finds another compatriot, Luca Sanchez, with whom he has already won three titles on the ITF circuit, including one this year, at the beginning of March, in Spain. The duo, seeded N.2, must compete tomorrow for the quarter-finals.
“In principle, from Monday, I will be 343rd in the world in doubles. I would like to be in the top 200 by the end of the year. The most complicated thing is to have a fixed partner. In the medium term, the objective is to mainly play Challengers tournaments and why not then target the events of the main circuit, ”announced the Toulousain, expected next week at the Challenger de Saint-Brieuc, associated with Harold Mayot.