A Frenchman finally victorious, is that what you were hoping for for this fourth edition?
“Everyone wanted to see a Frenchman win in France. We had put all the chances on our side since there were 15 in the final table even if we cannot control the athlete. For example, in the final, you could think that with the level of play of Vasek (Pospisil) she…
A Frenchman finally victorious, is that what you were hoping for for this fourth edition?
“Everyone wanted to see a Frenchman win in France. We had put all the chances on our side since there were 15 in the final table even if we cannot control the athlete. For example, in the final, you could think that with the level of play of Vasek (Pospisil) she would be fast, and then no, suddenly he loses the thread and everything is called into question. Quentin (Halys) regained his confidence and played his luck fully with the support of the public which was decisive. »
A week that is a great public success with 2,000 to 3,000 spectators present every day…
“There were a lot more people than in other years and that is a great pleasure, it’s a reward for everyone, for the tournament, my whole team, who have worked very hard for three months, the day after the latest edition. »
Did the choice to launch the tournament with DJ Bob Sinclar’s show pay off?
“Yes, because it was cool to have people there from day one. Often we organize events at the end of the week. Bob’s presence made it possible to bring in people who wouldn’t necessarily have come just for the tennis. Some came back the following days”
This 4e edition is it that of maturity?
“In Pau, we are too spoiled! We have a lot of high-level sports, teams from France who come regularly. When you arrive with a new discipline, it’s not easy at first. People needed a little time to discover the tournament. At first they think it only plays good tennis in the top 50 in the world. Little by little, coming on site, seeing the speed of the ball, the level of the players, people were seduced and wanted to come more and more often. Word of mouth also worked well. I also see it with sponsors. At first they came because the project was nice, without knowing tennis too much. Eventually, they fell in love with the sport and remain loyal to the tournament. »
A tournament organized in just three months, a French winner, the world at the Palace, is the flavor special?
“Yes, because we have all suffered from Covid in our lives in general. Being forced to live with masks, not being able to share our emotions with our loved ones, being deprived of sports and shows, not being able to live normally, it was hard. It was the first time that we could find ourselves living almost normally, I felt that it was good for everyone. »
Are you thinking of changing the level of the tournament, from Challenger 100, ie 100 ATP points for the winner, to a Challenger 110 or 125, the most advanced and endowed in the category?
“The objective, from the beginning, has always been to develop the “prize money” with each edition. We were stopped by the Covid. There, we will have to start a new cycle with new ideas and perhaps a new “prize money”, but I am not the only one to decide. We are first going to rest a little because for three months the work done has been enormous. But I know the sponsors are behind us. After this last week, it may make other partners want to join us. I remain a competitor, I have no limits, I want to grow the tournament as much as possible, but by going there gradually, making improvements every year, the key to success for us. »
French or foreign players, there is unanimity in recognizing that the Pau Challenger has already settled at the top of the most popular tournaments in the category…
“Our strong point, since the first edition, is to offer players the services they find on the ATP 250. The players talk to each other and the reputation of a tournament grows very quickly.
We wanted to bring together everything needed in terms of transport, food, medical, recovery, accommodation and training conditions, so that the players are happy. I’m a player too, I know what it’s like when something goes wrong in the organization. The closeness I have with them also makes things a lot easier. They call me before the tournament, during if they want, we see each other, we discuss, it makes things easier, whereas in some tournaments you finish the week and you don’t even know who the director is! I realize that this proximity makes them super accommodating, like Lucas (Pouille) whom I ask to play on Monday evening or Jo (Tsonga) who wanted to play on Wednesday but who agreed to play on Tuesday because it was good for us. I am the director, but my priority is not the business, but the player. And that, they feel. »
