US Open star tanks so badly he packs his bag to leave BEFORE match finishes – and he’ll get $116k

French player Benoit Paire has tanked his US Open match against Brit Cameron Norrie so brazenly that he had his bag packed before the match had even finished.

Norrie breezed to a 6-0, 7-6, 6-0 victory on a sweltering court where his opponent Paire hardly seemed to try, with the first set lasting only 18 minutes and the third only going one minute longer. 

Cam Norrie reached the second round of the US Open after beating Paire 6-0, 7-6, 6-0 and suggested his opponent’s lack of effort might have been related to the hot weather

Paire was so dispirited at 0-5 down in the third, he packed his equipment bag – despite having one more game still to play.

The Frenchman, who has a history of tanking matches and was warned for not trying at Wimbledon in 2021, will receive $80,000 (AU$117,000) for his 98-minute appearance.

However, the Grand Slam board could strip him of his prize money if they decide he deliberately stopped playing to win.

Norrie suggested after the match that maybe Paire’s behaviour was related to the heat. 

‘Obviously it was really hot, and maybe towards the end of that third set he was playing really quick and trying to make the points really short, and maybe the heat was getting to him,’ said Norrie diplomatically.

The Frenchman has a history of tanking matches and was warned for not trying at Wimbledon in 2021

Ranked 173 in the world, Paire has had just four wins in 2022 and admitted after the match that he didn’t want to be out there.

‘It’s not easy since the beginning of the year,’ he told reporters. ‘I feel bad on court and it was the same today.’

The veteran also suggested he might not play tennis again this year.

‘I took a little holiday. Now I’m going back on holiday, so it was just a little break between my holidays. I did what I could.

‘I was winning 5-3, I should have been able to take the second set. It would have done me good in the head, but my demons are back again.

Paire is ranked 173 in the world and has had just four wins in 2022. He admitted after the match that he didn’t want to be on the court

‘The double faults and that started again, always the same. I do what I can. I’m 167 in the world [he’s 173rd], I let myself go, we’ll see where it goes.

‘I’m not sure to continue this season, maybe to stop here and see if I start again next year.’

Tennis fans were quick to criticise Paire’s disgraceful effort on social media.

‘Benoit Paire gets 80,000 US Dollars despite making zero effort in his first round match against Norrie. Shocking really, hope they give him a huge fine,’ wrote one Twitter user.

 ‘Cam Norrie beats the barely trying Benoit Paire in 6-0 7-6 6-0. First set took 18 minutes, the third 19 minutes. If it was a horse race there would be a stewards’ inquiry,’ commented a second.

 ‘In Benoit Paire’s defence, I too turn up at my job everyday with the attitude of someone that would rather be anywhere else in the world,’ joked a third.