In recent days, tributes have multiplied for Gilles Simon, newly retired since his defeat against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the round of 16 of the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000. If the career of the Niçois will remain long, beautiful and honourable, his mental trainer in 2017 and 2018, Ronan Lafaix, still thinks that it could have taken on a whole new dimension.
“Of course, Gilles had everything to become world number 1. He had the passion, the intellectual qualities and that thirst for progress that the greatest champions have. A Djokovic, a Murray, at the base, have nothing more than him. Except that they, like Nadal and Federer, worked very early on the mental aspect, which allowed them to develop their game. Not Gilles. He was not challenged enough during his training. He then went to look for solutions on his own, but it was a bit late”judged Ronan Lafaix in remarks collected by Eurosport.
Published on Sunday November 6, 2022 at 11:13
