Paris 2024 Paralympics | Wheelchair tennis: and it's 'out' for Team France in the mens bronze medal match
Team Spain win bronze medal match in mens wheelchair tennis doubles on Friday 6th September.
On Friday, 6th September, the Roland Garros Stadium filled with fans for the men’s doubles bronze medal match between France and Spain. Napoleonic times of conflict between the two modern allies echoed in the stadium today, with fans separated by colors and flags. But much like their complex history, which evolved into mutual cooperation, the spirit of camaraderie that's been present throughout the entire Paralympic Games overshadowed any semblance of rivalry.
The chants from both sides of the court blended into one muffled roar, as the true essence of sportsmanship united everyone. In the end, it wasn't just about victory or defeat; it was a celebration of perseverance, unity, and the shared passion for the game, transcending national borders.
That being said, there can only be one winner in a tennis match, and Team Spain had the power of King Charles IV behind them today as they left the court with a win.
On the Suzanne Lenglen court, France’s Frédéric Cattaneo and Stéphane Houdet faced off against Spain’s Daniel Caverzaschi and Martín de la Puente in the men's doubles bronze medal match. Around 2 PM, after a quick spray of the clay court and a dramatic playlist of cinematic music, the audience welcomed both teams with warm, supportive cheers.
A noisy stadium, surely hitting the double digits in decibel figures, was quickly quietened down by the chair umpire. Sitting in an elevated and very important looking seat, she came down from her perch with agility on a number of occasions to examine the court during play — often welcomed by jeers from the fiercely competitive crowds.
In a strong first set, serve speeds of up to 130km/h on both sides meant the Paris 2024 ball kids were kept busy running the length and breadth of the courts to catch tennis balls that had gone out of play.
As the competition intensified, so did the atmosphere. Unfortunately for team Spain, chants of “Allez les bleus” overrode the few Iberian voices courtside. What you could hear however, were the puffs and grunts of each pair as they hit their serves. Funnily enough, you could tell the “oefs” from the “olés” as the passion exuded from the athletes on the court.
With Spain holding a 2-1 lead at the halfway mark of the first set, the home crowd likely felt the pressure to support their players on the court. United in their enthusiasm, Team France waved their flags proudly. Whether by coincidence or not, the French pair soon took control of the set, ultimately winning it 6-4 after 54 minutes of play.
Don't get too excited, there's still two more sets to go.
Volunteers smoothed the court after the speedy movements of the players' wheelchairs left tracks behind, indicating the intensity of the match. But the break didn’t last long, and the players were back on the court for another set.
With France now leading the match, some spectators couldn't control their excitement. But when all commotion was calmed, the only noise that could be heard was the thud of tennis balls against rackets and court grounds, along with a faint ‘whoo’ and fast followed ‘shush’ amongst the crowd.
The holographic kit of Team France glistened in the sweltering afternoon sun. Imagining the heat of the players would have anyone in a sweat. Thankfully, players of both teams got the opportunity to rest under the shade of umbrellas away from the heat. But under competitive circumstances.
With the score now at 3-4 to Spain in the second set, tension erupted in the crowd following a dispute over whether a shot from France was in or out. The chair umpire, once again stepping down to inspect the court, ruled the ball ‘in,’ prompting the disappointed home crowd to respond with a chorus of boos.
After their 30 second rest time, the players willingly took to the court to resume play, competing in the third and final set of the match.
The final score of set two was again a pleasing-to-the-eye 6-4, but to Spain this time.
One point to Spain, and another, and another.
The French pair were close, but not close eough. As they held onto the prospect of taking a bronze medal home, their rackets couldn't cooperate, and despite their efforts, one too many balls landed in the net.
Along with this came Spain's vistory, and the wave goodbye to a bronze medal for France.
The final score of set three was 10-5 to Spain which crowned Daniel Caverzaschi and Martín de la Puente winners, and provoked a louder than expected congratulatory cheer from the crowd. But not before, as like all those years ago, the competing quad shook hands in acceptance of defeat and victory.