Despite Election Defeat, Tennis-Loving Former French President Dialed up Roger Federer ‘s Roland Garros Opponent to Instill Courage That Went in Vain Back in 2012

The experience of challenging the legendary Roger Federer is a truly remarkable one for all those who face him. The anticipation of meeting on the court with a player of such magnitude can be a potent mixture of excitement, respect, and a certain trepidation. In 2012, Nicolas Mahut was well aware of the significance of the match he was about to engage in against Roger Federer in the third round of the French Open. As he prepared to step onto the court, the unexpected happened. He had received a phone call from none other than the former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Upon conversing with Sarkozy, Mahut felt a sense of calm wash over him. The former president’s presence and encouraging words provided a much-needed moment of respite.

The former French president’s kind words soothe Mahut’s nerves before the match against Federer

In 2012, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy faced a significant defeat in the elections. After serving as the President of France from 2007 to 2012, Sarkozy sought re-election but ultimately lost . However, Sarkozy’s support had lent Mahut an unanticipated dose of confidence. It prepared him to face one of the most formidable opponents in tennis with poise and determination. Armed with newfound courage, Mahut had entered the court with his sights set to win against Roger Federer. While his attempt was eventually in vain, Mahut was able to put up a spectacular fight. Mahut’s exceptional skills and commitment captivated the audience as he gave Federer an outstanding match.

Sarkozy’s encouraging words left an indelible mark on Mahut’s performance. Mahut shared,”..I talked to the president and I was nervous to talk to him. Nervous. And then I forgot about the match for a while.”

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He also explained,”  And I said, well, I feel relaxed now playing against Roger. And actually, it was the best match I played against him.”

Although the match ultimately ended in Federer’s favor, Mahut’s battle against Federer remains an unforgettable episode in professional tennis.

A few weeks ago, Mahut compared Federer with Novak Djokovic

In a recent interview with L’Equipe, former doubles tennis star Mahut expressed his belief that Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is widely unappreciated when it comes to the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate. According to Mahut, there will always be a debate about Djokovic’s status as the GOAT, unlike Federer or Rafael Nadal, where the conversation is more conclusive.

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Mahut finds the criticism Djokovic receives to be unfair considering his numerous accomplishments. Although Djokovic has already equaled Nadal’s record for the number of Grand Slam titles, Mahut believes that his GOAT status will always be questioned. However, Mahut also acknowledges that Djokovic still has a significant portion of his playing career ahead of him. It presents an opportunity to solidify his GOAT status by adding more Grand Slam titles to his already impressive collection.