the summary of Lucas Pouille’s victory, qualified for the main draw of the tournament

A rebirth after months of setbacks. Back in 670th place in the world after a depression, Lucas Pouille qualified for the main draw at Roland-Garros on Thursday 25 May. The former world number 10 has come out of the three necessary qualifying matches, including the third and final against Yurij Rodionov, 134th in the world (1-6, 7-5, 6-0). Taken from the whole field n. 14, the French scrapped for three sets to edge past the Austrian and afford a first round Grand Slam for the first time in a year.

Already struggling in the previous round against Taiwanese Tseng, Pouille found the physical and mental resources to get the better of every opponent. “It’s a great emotion, when I see all my family, my friends, the people on the pitch in this state at the end of the match. It’s a release, and all the emotions let go a littleshe says, her eyes still shining. The emotions were so strong that I don’t have much to say. It’s been so long since I’ve experienced it that it was above all.” Crying on the bench after Thursday’s victory, Lucas Pouille has won more than one game. He has offered himself redemption, reprieve and even the right to dream.