Benoit Paire shows why he is called The Rebel in Newport

Benoit “The Rebel” Paire has won his first match on grass in over five years, defeating Zachary Svajda in the round of 32 at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport on Tuesday.

After prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4), Paire did what only The Rebel would do.

He FaceTimed his mum on court.

“I’ve never had a player take a FaceTime call before the on-court interview… Can you tell us who called and why it is very important to you?” asked Paire’s interviewer after his call had concluded.

“It was my mom,” responded an emotional Paire. “I know she’s watching at home in France and she’s very stressed, so…”

The win was only the Frenchman’s second victory of the season and first in almost four months on the ATP Tour.

It wasn’t just The Rebel’s mum who was nervously watching back home. The 35-year-old shared that his dog, Ravioli, was also among his supporters.

“You have a lot of tattoos with a lot of words of wisdom. Before you leave, can you pick one and read it to the crowd?” he was asked after the match.

“The one I’m gonna pick is this one… Ravioli,” Paire responded. “It’s the name of my dog. He was watching on TV.”

Paire last played UTS in Oslo, where he gained one victory, finishing fourth in Group A.

UTS will next take to the courts in August, with UTS New York being played on the 22nd to 23rd at Forest Hills Stadium.