Expect the Unexpected

From February 3rd to 9th was held the Play In Challenger in Lille (France).

What a strange competition took place on the indoor courts of Lille Métropole this early February.

The dramaturgy of a final interrupted due to the injury sustained by the valiant Lucas Pouille certainly added something to it, yet this was undoubtedly just the tip of the iceberg in what was undoubtedly the most surprising tournament of the start of the year.

Well established on the challenger circuit (tennis's second division), the Play In tournament run by Antoine Sueur delivers a total of 125 ATP points each season to the winner of northern France's biggest tennis event.

Thus, young hopefuls of world tennis, former stars of the ATP circuit and even regulars of the top 300 desperately seeking to reach a new level, meet in Lille's arenas to the great delight of tennis lovers. 

Arthur Bouquier winning his first Challenger title at the Play-In, Credit : MSN

Forget Benjamin Bonzi, Van Assche, Luca Nardi and Benoit Paire's incensed complaints, and instead embrace Arthur Bouquier, Tom Paris, Arthur Géa and Mae Malige as these are the true heroes of this 2025 edition.

Knocked out of the competition in the early rounds to the general surprise of the organizers, the vast majority of the headliners were unable to live up to the public's expectations, and perhaps, for the best..

Throughout an unpredictable and entertaining week, the fans who had travelled all the way from Valenciennes or Belgium quickly fell in love with some of the new names on the French tennis scene.

Ranked 632 at the beginning of the tournament, Mae Malige had a week full of promise, credit : Play In Challenger.

Unexpected winner with an impressive first serve, Arthur Bouquier, who came through the qualifiers, undoubtedly remained the standout player of the Play-In, and we can't wait to see him again at the Pau Challenger in the coming days.

Although they didn't win the title, the names of Tom Paris, Mae Malige, and Valentin Royer also defied the odds, thrilling the spectators at the Tennis Club Lillois with their fighting spirit and closeness to the public. One thing is certain : French tennis holds great promise at the start of 2025.