Stéphane Houdet’s call, just before the Tokyo Paralympic Games, had intrigued him. The insistence of the triple Olympic champion and a first week-long training camp in 2023 convinced him. Since last December, Yannick Noah has been the new captain of the French men’s wheelchair tennis team. A mission that he has taken very much to heart, and which is entering its crucial phase two days before the start of the events.
This Tuesday, the winner of Roland-Garros 1983 already had stars in his eyes at the idea of participating in the opening ceremony and the Paralympic tournament. Aware of his role and delighted with the opportunity he has been given, he is savoring every moment, at home, almost in his garden.
How excited are you, two days before the start of the competitions?
YANNICK NOAH. It’s going to be a strong moment. But I don’t want to get carried away by the excitement, my role will be to channel the energies and make sure that the players arrive on the field in the best possible condition. There are players who need to be pushed, others who want to be calmed. The advantage we have is that we’ve spent a lot of time together, so I know my players, I know their game obviously but also their emotions. And there, it’s going to be powerful.
When you arrive at Roland-Garros, it starts to take shape because the volumes are different, even if it’s empty. And overnight, there will be 15,000 people, it’s not something simple at our level.
Even for you, is it unique?
I live through them. I dream a lot and when I dream a little too much, I cry so much it makes me want to. So I want it to go well for them, for it to be a dream.
Why did you accept this role as captain?
Because Stéphane (Houdet) asked me. It’s essential. Stéphane is meticulous, so if he asked me, it’s because he had an idea in mind. He wanted me to come and give them a hand. And when I arrived, it was almost obvious. I felt accepted and right away, at the National Training Center (CNE), I grew up. I was at home, but with different people. We got to know each other and I like it because I see a great evolution, I have the impression that we have progressed, whether it’s in positions on the field, in choices of play, in tactics. We have moved forward.
Stéphane Houdet told us that the goal was to have a meal together at the end. Is that important to you?
Yes, I like to keep this image. At the beginning, I ask to do the maximum, to be professional, but that whatever happens, we remain friends. There are victories that can be very painful and it’s not worth it. We can win medals and remain friends. In any case, that would be the best!
Did you know about wheelchair tennis before? What was your view on this discipline?
What I like above all since I was a kid, and which has accompanied me in my other life as an artist, are emotions. You can make an extraordinary technical gesture to me, if there is no emotion, it does not touch me at all. So my coaching, there is affection. It is not only that, but it is important. I do not train a machine, that does not interest me. We play for people, for our families, for our children, we do not play for ourselves. We have an incredible luxury of giving happiness to people we do not know. What could be more beautiful than that? That is what guides me. I have known wheelchair tennis for a long time, I have done exhibitions, I have tried. There was a look, an interest. And there are emotions.
Your nomination has attracted a lot of attention in wheelchair tennis. What role will you play during these Games?
I’m walking on eggshells a bit because deep down, what I want is to be a relay runner. It’s a bit tricky because I don’t want to be in front, but sometimes I have to be in front to protect them. But they have things to tell, which can be very stimulating, and I want that to be highlighted. We are ambassadors for kids who, after a difficult time, must dream, know that they can take a wheelchair, a racket and go to the Olympic Games. My story is different, people know me elsewhere, but the idea is to put them in the spotlight. But now, it’s time for the Games. I can’t wait any longer.
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