Adrian Mannarino: A Year of Success and Modesty in Tennis

“I don’t know what made the difference. I was a little luckier today.” Adrian Mannarino shows modesty. But it’s not just a question of luck obviously. It’s anything but coincidence that the Ile-de-France native won the fifth title of his career this Saturday by defeating the Briton Jack Draper in three sets (7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-3) during the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Sofia. Because this season, he has been full of confidence and is playing his best tennis. At 35, Mannarino, who gained momentum during this second part of the season, is concluding his most prolific year. Guaranteed to reach at least 22nd place in the world, as in March 2018, here he is with three titles in 2023 after his successes during the Astana and Newport tournaments. That’s more in one season than in his entire career before starting 2023. “It’s the best way to end this year. I’m a little exhausted, but it’s very motivating to have these results,” said he said. “It’s been a great year.”

On its longevity? “I have more experience now”

While he won his first tournament on the circuit in 2019, the two-handed backhand left-hander is like good wine, he keeps getting better with age. And this title in Sofia to round off the year only confirms this trend. “I have more experience now. I am certainly physically weaker than years ago, but I find a balance, he explained on the Bulgarian tournament website. Tennis is also evolving, from our These days the players have a more serious team, they can do good work in the gym and have an adequate diet. It helps you stay efficient longer. “And it shows. More regular, more sure of his strengths too, “Manna” has impressed throughout this year 2023. And he goes back in time for French tennis, becoming the first Habs with three titles in one season since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (4 ) and Lucas Pouille (3) in 2017. Above all, he can boast of entering a closed circle. And very “select”. With his three trophies in a single season at the age of 35, Mannarino joins Roger Federer (2017, 2018, 2019), Novak Djokovic (2022, 2023) and Rafael Nadal (2022). The three living legends of tennis, the famous Big 3, are the three other players to have managed to win at least three titles after their 35th birthday since 1990. There are worse company. 2023 will go down as a year apart for the one we nickname the “Divine Bald”. And inevitably, he asks for more: “I enjoy my career. I am motivated and I will continue to play. I want to return to the field every day, as well as to train.” Looking forward to 2024.
2023-11-11 17:36:48
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