Local Roland Garros Fans Honor Varvara Gracheva

French tennis fans displayed their support for Varvara Gracheva (23) in a heartwarming moment at Roland Garros. After her victory over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu (33), the Russian-born player was treated to a passionate rendition of the national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” in recognition of her recent switch in nationality.

Gracheva sealed a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 win, marking her debut at Roland Garros as a French player with a memorable performance. As the crowd serenaded her with the anthem, Gracheva joined in the celebration, expressing gratitude for the warm reception.

“This moment will stay with me forever,” remarked Gracheva, who obtained her French passport in 2023 after residing in the country for over five years. “It signifies acceptance and belonging, and I feel truly at home here.”

Tennis Livescore

There were capital S Scenes on Lenglen when Varvara Gracheva beat Irina-Camelia Begu 7-5, 6-3 to reach the R16.

Everybody was singing La Marseillaise, including Gracheva on court and Pauline Parmentier/Julien Benneteau in the stands.

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Despite facing a challenging start to the year, with a drop in her ranking to 100th place in April, Gracheva remained resilient. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the difficulties she encountered but expressed optimism for the future.

“At the beginning of the year, I faced despair and frustration,” Gracheva shared. “But now, to be playing on Suzanne Lenglen Court, it’s beyond my wildest dreams,” she added with a smile.

Gracheva’s inspiring performance at Roland Garros included a notable upset victory against sixth-ranked Maria Sakkari in the opening round. As she advances to the fourth round, Gracheva remains focused on the present moment, embracing the opportunity to compete on such a prestigious stage.

“I’m grateful for this experience, and anything further is a bonus,” Gracheva remarked. “I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” she concluded, expressing her joy and determination as she continues her journey in the tournament.