Fabrice Martin on the doubles stigma in France

"Whenever we have a doubles team they are very good, but none of the coaches think of a second option as a doubles career, which is shame."

With Roland Garros underway, Frenchman Fabrice Martin is the prefect guest to talk all things doubles and Paris. Ranked No. 23 in the world, he's teaming up with compatriot Jeremy Chardy and the duo are seeded No. 14. 

Last year, Martin and Chardy reached the final, marking their best career major performance. The dream run was made extra special by happening in front of a home crowd. While this year will be very different with limited fans and chilly temperatures, Martin is eager to keep doing what he loves on the biggest stages. 

Hailing from Bayonne, France, Martin's family relocated to Colombia and then settled in Bradenton, Fla. in 2001, where his mother is a school teacher at the IMG Academy. It made for a great base as Martin opted against college and pursued a career in both singles and doubles, while working on his surfing hobby. He'd get up to as high as No. 228 before focusing solely on doubles, beginning in 2016. 

The 34-year-old gives his candid take on why doubles isn't a priority in France, how other nations like Great Britain are doing it better, and how he has dealt with doubles specialist stigma.

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