Disgruntled Paire hits out at 'ridiculous' ATP Tour after Chile exit

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - ATP Cup - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 5, 2021 France's Benoit Paire reacts as he retires due to injury from his group stage match against Austria's Dominic Thiem REUTERS/Kelly Defina/File Photo

(Reuters) - Playing matches in empty stadiums and following strict COVID-19 protocols has made the ATP Tour "sad, boring and ridiculous", France's Benoit Paire said after he was knocked out of the Chile Open by Danish teenager Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune.

The professional circuit was shut down for several months last year before tournament organisers set up biosecure bubbles for players and support staff while keeping fans away from stadiums.