French tennis authorities aim to appoint a new leader for the women's squad, as Benneteau steps down.
Hey there!
Let's talk about Julien Benneteau, the ex-captain of France's Fed Cup team (now known as the Billie Jean King Cup team). At 43, he took over from Yannick Noah in June 2018 and steered the squad of the country's top female players to victory against Australia in 2019, clinching the international team competition for a third time since its inception in 1963.
However, subsequent teams couldn't maintain that level of success, and France was relegated to the second division of teams in a revamped format called the Billie Jean King Cup in November 2024. The team recently participated in a promotion/relegation tournament in Vilnius, Lithuania, but unfortunately, they missed the play-offs—a pathway back to the top tier of the competition.
As per Gilles Moretton, the boss of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), together with Benneteau, they acknowledged that they were nearing the end of a cycle, and it was time for a fresh captain to breathe new life into the team. Benneteau was thanked for his tremendous efforts since 2019.
Before taking up the captaincy, Benneteau had a prosperous career on the ATP circuit. He turned pro in 2000 and reached a high of 25 in the world rankings for singles. He amassed 12 doubles titles, including the French Open in 2014. Benneteau retired in 2018 after the French Open in Paris.
Benneteau expressed his gratitude to the FFT for entrusting him with the role and shared that he would cherish the title won in Perth, along with numerous other high points during his tenure. He wished the team the best as they strive to return to their rightful place among the world's elite tennis powers.
Although no news has been announced regarding the new captain of the French women's tennis team, the FFT has started its search for a successor. Stay tuned for updates on who will take the baton from Benneteau! 🎾
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Sources:1. Benneteau steps down as French Fed Cup captain2. Julien Benneteau steps down as France captain3. France out of Billie Jean King Cup after Vilnius loss
- Julien Benneteau, who once captained France's Fed Cup team, led the squad to victory in the international team competition in 2019, securing France's third triumph since its inception in 1963.
- In 2024, France's women's tennis team was relegated to the second division of teams in the revamped Billie Jean King Cup, after failing to maintain the success set by Benneteau.
- Despite the team's recent loss in a promotion/relegation tournament held in Vilnius, Lithuania, Benneteau will be remembered for his significant contributions as captain, especially the victory against Australia in 2019.
- Now that Benneteau has stepped down as captain, the French Tennis Federation (FTF) is on the lookout for his successor, with the aim of returning the team to their prominent position among the world's elite tennis powers.
- The ATP Cup, an international men's tennis competition scheduled for 2024, is one of the many international sports events sports enthusiasts can look forward to, along with the latest updates on the new captain of the French women's tennis team.
