Di Pasquale out of the tunnel
Christophe Thoreau
Friday, May 31, 2002

In one's career, there are some matches that stand
out more than others. Arnaud Di Pasquale's singles
triumphs this week - over Michael Russell and Wayne
Arthurs - are two such matches.

Not that defeating these two players is a particularly
phenomenal achievement. It's simply that 'Dip' as Di
Pasquale is known, hasn't played in a Grand Slam event
since the 2001 US Open where he lost to Juan Carlos
Ferrero in five sets. A knee injury kept him away from
the courts ever since.

After returning to Europe after the US Open last September,
Di Pasquale prepared for a tournament in Bucarest. His
left knee, which had been bothering him terribly, was
then diagnosed with a meniscus problem that required an
operation. On September 19, the winner of the Olympic
bronze medal in Sydney underwent surgery.

Afterwards, to his great despair, the predicted two months
of recuperation turned into seven months. Despite the rest
and physical therapy, the knee acted up as soon as he started
to play tennis. The French team doctor Montalvan offered the
only solution - rest. Di Pasquale spent his time between
Geneva, where he passed his driving test, and Paris, where
he worked hard on the upper part of his body and his service.

By December, he was finally able to fully train. His goals
were clear: play the tournaments in Australia and collect
ATP points. Formerly No39 in the world, his ranking had
plummeted well below 200. Di Pasquale traveled to a special
pre-season training program in New Caledonia with other
French players, but the knee inflamed and he had a hard time
keeping up. Down on his luck, he returned to cold Paris and
a new period of rest.

In mid-March when the first clay courts re-opened at
Roland-Garros, Di Pasquale started his training. It was
hard, even degrading, to have to start again from scratch.
At first, Dip had trouble even keeping up with second series
players. But full of character, and with the help of new coach
Remy Barbarin, Arnaud set about rebuilding himself into a new
tennis player.

In early April, Dip survived the qualifying competition in
Casablanca, his birthplace, to gain a berth in the main draw.
In the first round, he came tantalizingly close to beating
Brazilian Andre Sa. But losing didn't matter. He had given
everything he had. A few weeks later, he broke through to
capture the Challenger tour title in Ljubjana (and with it
$25,000 dollars).

As a wild card this year at Roland Garros, Di Pasquale wanted
more than anything to do well. And Michael Russell and Wayne
Arthurs gave him his chance. This time, without doubt, Arnaud
Di Pasquale is once again a tennis player. Paradorn Srichaphan
will be able to judge for himself in the fourth round.