site.btaUPDATED Adrian Mannarino Wins Sofia Open Trophy
Adrian Mannarino, the second seed, defeated Jack Draper 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3 to win the Sofia Open title on Saturday afternoon. The 35-year-old Frenchman took 2 hours and 17 minutes to defeat the 21-year-old Brit in his first ATP tour final.
After his triumph, Mannarino told a news conference that tournaments like the Sofia Open act as a good motivator to young kids. He said he hoped tennis would continue developing in Bulgaria, given its good track record - both in the past and now with Grigor Dimitrov.
Asked if there was something special about the fact that the final was an all-lefty, Mannarino said this did not change anything in his game, adding that his goal was to do his best and not to be distracted by what was happening on the other side of the net, .
Answering questions about his age, Mannarino said: "I definitely feel that I have more experience now. Physically it is not as easy now as it was in the past, because you know when you are 35 and you are waking up after a tough match, it is harder than before. For sure physically I am a little bit weaker than I was in the past. But I got the experience on my side now, so I think it is a good balance. I think tennis is getting more and more professional as well and everybody has a good team around now. It helps them to have a good work out, good treatment on a daily basis, so it helps players to last longer."
Mannarino said: "Tennis is a nice job. It is also job that is making me winning money. So, when I am going stop playing obviously I am going to have some difficulties to fin a job that is bringing me a lot of money." He said his career brings him pleasure and he feels motivated to get back to the court every day.
He could not say if he would return to Bulgaria, but since he was free on Saturday evening in Sofia, he would go out with friends to celebrate his win.
Earlier on Saturday, Gonzalo Escobar (Ecuador) and Aleksandr Nedovyesov (Kazakhstan) defeated Julian Cash (UK) and Nikola Mektić (Croatia) 6:3, 3:6, 13:11 in 1 hour and 25 minutes to win the doubles title at the 2023 Sofia Open.
Youth and Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev presented the trophy to Adrian Mannarino and thanked the ATP for choosing Bulgaria as the host country . "I am sure many kids have fallen in love with this sport and will now grab tennis rackets to follow the example of the great players here," Iliev said.
Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova presented the cup to runner-up Jack Draper. The Tourism Ministry quoted her as saying: "This international tournament gives Sofia and Bulgaria a chance to become a destination of the world tennis elite. In this way, we attract tourists who can get to know the culture, tourist sites and attractions of the capital."
This is the eighth time Sofia has hosted an ATP 250 tournament.
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