By Scoop Malinowski
Tennis has been relatively boring lately outside the exploits of Novak Djokovic and a few other colorful characters like Rublev, Medvedev, Shelton, etc. But last night in Santiago Corentin Moutet showed he has the personality, flair and game to change the sport for the better.
After losing about a year with wrist problems, Moutet finally looked like himself again with a startling 76 76 win vs Nico Jarry in the Santiago quarterfinals.
Ranked 140, the lefty qualifier who had not won a match in 2024, exhibited one of the most passionate and dramatic ATP performances in a long time.
On the frst point of the match Moutet used a trick underarm serve for an ace winner. Throughout the duel, Moutet fueled himself with emotional adrenaline and roaring and fist pumps and the raised left hand straight up to the heavens after striking first class winners.
Moutet looked like a blend of the great Chilean lefthander Marcelo Rios and prime world no. 1 Lleyton Hewitt. With so many pro matches looking like routine affairs, to see Moutet playing like his life and career were on the line was a wonderful breath of fresh air. Check the highlights here
Moutet has struggled before this week. He failed in qualies in Buenos Aires and Cordoba, then qualified for Rios but lost in the first round to Sebastian Baez, the eventual Rio champion.
So for the 24 year old Moutet, once ranked 51 in the world (2022) to play with optimum maximum intensity, fury, bravado and obsession is quite understandable. He used emotional adrenaline to will himself to help save his lost career.
Moutet flashed his genius with an array of amazing shots, winners, lobs, pinpoint passing shots. It was like watching a grandmaster finding his magic bag of tricks again after years of struggle. It was a joy to see. Especially when you consider how such a career changing victory could propel Moutet for the rest of 2024.
The final point was a Jarry running, desperation defensive backhand lob that landed wide. Moutet dropped his racquet and did the big balls gesture and roared like a lion – you saw this victory over the top seed and defending champion meant everything to Moutet.
Jarry didn’t much care for Moutet’s behavior or his career difficulties and said some words about it at the net handshake. Moutet just turned away and raised his arms in victory to the crowd and when some people booed him he did the hands giving his heart gesture.
It was one of the most genius performances I’ve seen in years in the ATP or WTA.
Moutet will play another Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the semifinals.
See the Corentin Moutet Biofile here link
Corentin Moutet · Lleyton Hewit · Marcelo Rios · Santiago
Cory · March 2, 2024 at 11:04 am
Scoop, well said! Totally agree, it was a masterful performance by Moutet. In the 2nd set, I started to lose hope as Jarry secured the break and hold, up 5-2. But Moutet broke back and used that momentum to run with it in the TB. Jarry’s length allows him to whip the ball side to side, like a Del Potro. Of course, mistakes rise too, but he’s not as mistake-prone as you would think for his size. Moutet really hungry last night – great to see the fire! He’s a wizard with all those slices… lots of forehand slice. Tabilo can be a very steady player… crowd will be with him. IDK…
Cory · March 2, 2024 at 11:26 am
Nice post Scoop! Saw the match… thought Moutet was done and dusted in the 2nd set with Jarry up 5-2… I felt the momentum and the crowd would surely cave Moutet, but he really rose up. Loved his fire. Jarry’s size and whip can be menacing… a poor man’s Del Potro… Moutet has some serious wizardry out there with the slices… forehand slice don’t often see.
Don’t know if I could bet against Tabilo at home… Tabilo so wiry and reliable.
How about Pedro Martinez rising from the dead, having a nice tourney here. He’s so steady and dependable. Doesn’t beat himself.
Scoop Malinowski · March 2, 2024 at 3:26 pm
Cory, Moutet is a special player, unique mind too. One of my favorites. He does it his way. He’s better than Tabilo IMO but we’ll see. I think Moutet’s win vs Jarry will be a springboard for a big year. It was a massive mental win for Moutet, I see a Moutet rampage coming soon. Pedro Martinez is about as anonymous as you get in ATP, no media attention, no flash, no hype but he’s getting results. A future Biofile target for sure.
Scoop Malinowski · March 2, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Cory, I see Jarry as more like Hurkacz than Delpo, but he’s a big task for anyone. Moves so well for a big guy, solid technique. But Moutet stole the show. I think this could be one of those turning point wins which elevate Moutet to become an elite top 20 player. He will surge now, he’s paid his dues, he’s learned the ropes, he’s suffered, he’s ready to be a star.
Cory · March 2, 2024 at 3:40 pm
sorry for the double post. Thought the first didn’t go thru. 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · March 2, 2024 at 3:57 pm
Cory, interesting how in the last week we’ve seen some huge emotional flare ups by Rublev, Moutet and Fils… wonder if there is a secret initiative for tennis players to show more personality and emotions – due to Ruud, Carlos, Sinner, Fritz, etc being somewhat dull bland and seemingly scripted personalities? Tennis needs more McEnroe Nasty and Jimbo!
Cory · March 2, 2024 at 6:31 pm
Was anyone able to positively determine if Rublev was telling the truth?
Either way, Rublev is ridiculous if he thinks he can walk up to someone’s face and scream at them insolently like a raging lunatic – that official is not a lamp post, a piece of paper, no it’s a human being – who was just doing their job, well or not, and IMO he should be disqualified exactly for the behavior, swearing or not. You can disagree with the calls, even loudly and vehemently, but what he did was over the line.
Scoop Malinowski · March 2, 2024 at 8:27 pm
I read that he did not curse in Russian, the snitch was wrong. But Rublev’s outbursts seem contrived. And a good cover for a tank. I don’t know, it just seems so over the top. And also contrary to his nature as a very polite nice person/ Check the betting patterns on that match?
Sam · March 3, 2024 at 7:14 am
Cory wrote:
Either way, Rublev is ridiculous if he thinks he can walk up to someone’s face and scream at them insolently like a raging lunatic – that official is not a lamp post, a piece of paper, no it’s a human being – who was just doing their job, well or not, and IMO he should be disqualified exactly for the behavior, swearing or not.
Is there a video available of his outburst?
If Rublev did what you’re describing, then, yes, I think he deserved to be disqualified. 🤮 But the thing is, does the ATP selectively enforce the rules?
Scoop Malinowski · March 3, 2024 at 7:59 am
Sam, I may be wrong and of a minority opinion but I think Rublev is acting out a cartoon character role, the mad Russian maniac. But he’s the nicest guy with fans and media. ATP needs to hot tempered character to pass the tradition of McEnroe, etc. Tennis is dull with just scripted mannequins playing. it needs the full range of emotions and emotional controversy to generate buzz and get people talking. I suspect Rublev is acting.
Cory · March 6, 2024 at 11:13 am
Sam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2skNQ3v3z0&t=33s
Sam · March 7, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Tennis is dull with just scripted mannequins playing. it needs the full range of emotions and emotional controversy to generate buzz and get people talking. I suspect Rublev is acting.
Would not be surprised, Scoop. Lots of parallels with pro wrestling. 😀
Sam · March 7, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Thanks for the link to the video, Cory!
Scoop Malinowski · March 7, 2024 at 6:56 pm
Sam are you saying the tennis establishment might be manufacturing and controlling player images, to generate maximum revenues?
Sam · March 11, 2024 at 10:02 pm
Well, Scoop, would you actually put something like that past them? 😉
Scoop Malinowski · March 12, 2024 at 9:08 am
Sinner is Federer Jr, Carlos is the perfect image whiz kid, Taylor Fritz is woke PC part time model with his influencer side kick, Rublev is the mad Russian, Tsitsipas is the philosopher…
Sam · March 16, 2024 at 9:43 pm
Tsitsipas is the philosopher…
What’s Medvedev then? 😉
Scoop Malinowski · March 17, 2024 at 8:09 am
The wacky Russian.
Sam · March 21, 2024 at 7:46 am
The wacky Russian.
Well, maybe they can make his persona a little more sinister to drive up ticket sales. 🦹♂️
Scoop Malinowski · March 21, 2024 at 8:49 am
Sam, Medvedev would not do that, he’s a good hearted person by nature.
Sam · March 25, 2024 at 9:48 pm
Okay, that’s good to know, Scoop. And I guess that means we won’t ever see any phony photos of him in a hospital recovering from “surgery.” 🤣