For a week, the SNUC believed that it was in the bag, even before the start of hostilities. “In September we received an email from the federation saying that Annecy was forfeited and that there would therefore be no descent into our groupexplains Sébastien Tesson. And then, a few days later, we were told that TC Marignane was finally drafted. »
The Nantes captain had little taste for the manner. But the competitor in him quickly saw this as a good thing. “Sportingly, it’s better this way. We would have found it a shame to keep ourselves this way. And then, that deprived us of a reception. We also play to provide a show for our members. »
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To remain in the elite of French tennis, which it failed to do during its first two visits (in 2019 and 2022), the SNUC will therefore have to fight. With his weapons, which are not among the most impressive. “We are not favoritesmischievously slips Sébastien Tesson, aware that his squad lacks depth for this ultra-condensed Pro A, over two weeks. I will only be able to count on six players, given that Benjamin Martin (-15) and Mathéo Coupu-Moison (-2/6) are in the USA. However, we know that the physical dimension is decisive. »
His group was not necessarily more substantial in 2019 or 2022, and the people of Nantes did not come far from succeeding in their bet. Especially since, this time, Alexandre Reco (n°87) will be present. “Physically, he is finally 100%”congratulates his coach. Other good news, Clément Tabur and Lucas Poullain, who have gone down in the world rankings (respectively 327th and 469th), are no longer concerned by the qualifications for the Australian Open, and will do the entire campaign. The rest, that is to say Gleb Sakharov (36 years old) and Vincent Stouff (38 years old), are two years older… “They are aging, but capable of anything in a match. And Lucas Marionneau (-2/6) will take over from them, if necessary. »
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Faced with Loon-Plage de Pouille, Quimperlé de Guinard and Kovalik, Blanc-Mesnil des Halys, Mannarino, Müller and Barrère, to name just these teams, the whole question is whether this will be enough. After all, you'll just have to leave one behind.
SNUC calendar: 9/11 goes to Blanc-Mesnil; 13/11 receives Loon-Plage; 16/11 goes to Bressuire; 20/11 goes to Quimperlé; 23/11 receives Marignane.
