Toulouse. Arthur Reymond is back on track
Despite his second round defeat on Wednesday, the Stade Toulousain player can keep his head held high after six non-stop weeks on the international circuit.
“It’s the first time that I take 6-0, 6-0. But that absolutely does not call into question everything I have achieved, among other things, since the end of July.” To be beaten without scoring the slightest game, moreover during a tournament of the pro circuit organized by his club, it is necessarily hard to digest at the time. But beyond this defeat, Arthur Reymond (Stade Toulousain, 545th in the world, his best ranking so far) has plenty to keep positive about these Toulouse Internationals.
“The guy in front of me (Belgian Kimmer Coppejans, 292nd, from qualifying, editor’s note) succeeded in everything in this second round. I can’t say that I missed my match. Nevertheless, it’s a additional step to continue to gain experience in this type of tournament (ATP Challenger, the 2nd division of pro tennis, editor’s note). Not to mention the good results that I have obtained lately”, indicates the left-hander, beneficiary of an invitation to the final table, which had released the Kazakh Timofey Skatov (250th; 7-6, 7-6) in the first round.
“I finally find a 100% body”
England, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. These are the four countries where the Toulousain has settled down since July 25, each time on ITF events (3rd division of pro tennis). Results (in chronological order): 2nd round, 1st round, semi, final lost and quarter. “Of course, even if I know these Sept-Deniers courts by heart, there was a bit of stress before my first match here because the context of a Challenger has nothing to do with that of an ITF stage. Fortunately, from the third game, I knew how to relax completely. Moreover, for the moment, it is not often that I reach the 2nd round of a Challenger (the second time this season after Troyes at the end of June, Editor’s note). In my game, I feel that I am progressing. And physically, after having chained the Covid and a mononucleosis, I finally find a body at 100%”, explains Arthur, who was expected last night for a quarter-final in doubles alongside his former club partner Grégoire Jacq.
In his agenda, the Stadiste was initially to contest the ITF tournament in Bagnères-de-Bigorre next week. “But I preferred to give up to breathe a little,” he says. Its recovery is scheduled for the following week for the Rennes Challenger.