A tight tray for a high-level tennis open in Saint-Gaudens

We left for a tour – the 28th. The meeting has become a beautiful tradition on the world Women’s Tennis circuit: 10 days before Roland-Garros (qualifications in Paris will start on Monday May 19), Saint-Gaudens represents a great opportunity for athletes to test themselves.

“Saint-Gaudens offers identical conditions for Roland-Garros” launches the director of the open, Michel Brunet. “Same clay surface, same ball: it makes them a beautiful rehearsal”. All the same as Roland-Garros therefore … but in Saint-Gaudens.

Another opportunity for these girls: scoring points. While remaining with $ 60,000, the tournament will distribute 75 points WTA – the only one in the Occitanie region – and will therefore allow them to progress in the world classification.

Tight level

Hence a panel of players who are not lacking in interest: “The level has clearly tightened” pointed out the director. In fact, they will be 16 players classified between the 100th and 200th places on 32 participants in the final table. Like a promise of committed, tight and exciting matches.

Among the favorites, the Thai Sawangkaew Mananchaya is 112nd world (seeded n ° 1), but the competition will be tough. Starting with that of the French: Chloé Paquet-a regular from the Saint-Gaudinoise land-Elsa Jacquemot or Jessika Ponchet are held in a handkerchief.

Also pay attention to the players who have lost ground in the standings, but regain service. This will be the case of the German Anna-Lena Friedsam (ex 45th world), the Swiss Rebeca Masarova, 62nd in 2023. Or the Serbian Alexandra Crunik (39th in 2018), which will have to go through the qualifications before claiming the final table.

Finally to monitor: Loïs Boisson (Wild Card of the organization): she had already caused a sensation in Saint-Gaudens during the 2021 edition by signing two perfs before being far from the short injury.
This year, she too will go through the qualifying picture: she fell in the 302nd in the world, but she resumes service with a brand new knee and ambitions.

It remains to be hoped for a favorable weather. This season is a bet every year, but the open – with the reinforcement of the town hall – has put all the odds on its side. All terrains now have tarpaulin solutions. It obviously does not allow to play in the rain, but still to wait until it goes by protecting the play areas. A measure to pass between the drops!

The town hall plays the game

This tournament, the Saint-Gaudens town hall is holding, is “its” tournament. She is so much there that she increased her participation, from 28,000 to 45,000 €, “because it is a showcase for our commune” comments the mayor Jean-Yves Duclos. As a symbol of “dynamic and sporting policy of the city”.

The subsidy is also supplemented by the work of municipal staff on structures – example with the operation of rehabilitation of the land currently underway.

Animations

Finally, the municipality is also committed to the animation of this tennis week by offering three highlights.

“This tournament also has a role in promoting tennis for all” explains Eric Heuillet, sports assistant. “Several classes of Saint-Gaudinoises schools will thus go through the courts during the open-not only for the autograph session, but also to attend very high level matches”. (Lycées de Bagatelle and Le Casteret are also affected by the operation).

The 2nd event will take place in partnership with Engie, it will take place on Wednesday May 7 (6 p.m., Geoges-Duclos room): a conference on sexual violence in sport will be offered, led by Angélique Cauchy (former player, former victim, founder of the rebound association) ¹.
Finally, the last meeting, Friday 9 at 6 p.m. will be festive, with the traditional cocktail dinner-with private communities and partners-before the kick-off of the double final.