Franco-Moroccan Tennis Star Elliot Benchetrit Switches Allegiance to Morocco

By announcing his change of sports nationality, the Franco-Moroccan tennis player created a general surprise. For Elliot Benchetrit, playing for Morocco is an idea that germinated after his junior victory at the Grade 1 event in Casablanca. "I love Morocco! My father was born and lived in Morocco and I feel as Moroccan as French," he said. He stressed that he did not want to miss the opportunity to play for "a country as beautiful as Morocco. A country that I admire, that has a desire to progress and that has a great mindset."

For a man who confesses that his strength on a tennis court remains "mental and determination", he is actively preparing to perform well at the Olympics and the Davis Cup. "We train hard every day with very specific goals. There is also the mental preparation, because these are events with a lot of stress."

World No. 223, Elliot Benchetrit, on the professional circuit since 2016, achieved his best result in 2019, with a qualification for the 2nd round of Roland-Garros by beating the Briton Cameron Norrie (6-3, 6-0, 6-2). He remembers it as "one of the greatest moments of his career."

When asked what he thinks of Moroccan tennis, Elliot Benchetrit responds that he has the image of a great sporting country and a country with a strong tennis history. "My goal is to rekindle the flame in this sport, to rekindle the flame of tennis in Morocco," he explained, stressing that he also appreciates the climate and the kindness of the people in Morocco.