Aravane Rezaï, true to herself

It’s part of her. This taste for fighting, this appetite for combat. This desire to be pushed to her limits to give the best of herself. To surpass yourself. To progress and learn, always. “I need to find fighting spirit in every match, it’s in my genes”breathes Aravane Rezaï. A state of mind that accompanies him every day on his path to the high level.

The Frenchwoman has been around this high level for a long time. With this glorious past which saw her beat Venus Williams in the final in Madrid, in 2010, the year she reached 15^e world place. A track record that sticks to him. “When I participate in a tournament, I am the person to beat, my opponents give the best of themselves”estimates the 37-year-old player.

A body to tame

Since then, however, his journey has been tortuous. Made of ups, downs, injuries. With, in particular, this herniated disc which caused paralysis of his leg. “I was in a wheelchair, I was told that I would never be able to walk again… But I was surrounded by good specialists who helped me to walk again, then to return to sport and finally to prepare me for the high level, with specific rehabilitation. »

Back on the courts, now 676^e in the WTA rankings, she is gradually gaining places. Taking the time to refamiliarize yourself with your body. “I’m coming a long way, because a year ago, I was 40 kg overweight. My body is more tired, I have to prioritize recovery. Today, I manage to play a few matches together, to take on a little more physically. I am no longer 18 years old, I must know how to take care of myself, in particular by shortening the points. »

“I learned to accept defeat”

But the biggest job is probably mental. And in this regard, joining the All In Academy (founded by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Thierry Ascione) in Lyon this year allowed her to stay motivated. And to put things into perspective, too. “I learned to accept defeat. It’s never nice to lose, but I learn from my mistakes. »

She almost experienced defeat this Monday, October 7 in qualifying for the Engie Open de Touraine. After losing the first set to the Danish Olga Helmi (2-6), Aravane Rezaï broke her opponent at the best time to win the second set (6-3). Before getting scared in the super tie-break: trailing 1-4, she put together seven consecutive points to finally win (10-6) and climb into the final table of the tournament after a long fight.

“My butt got hot, she laughs. She’s a hard-hitting girl, she gave her all. Just like me. I fought on every ball. I was ready to lose, but not by giving up. »

“Experience and tranquility”

Determined, tenacious, but also more serene. This is the new Aravane Rezaï. “I control my emotions better on the court because I understand that tennis is not a question of life and death. The new player that I am is more humble, she plays with the experience of before and the tranquility of today. » And always stays true to herself.

The results

End of qualifying: E. Ovcharenko (Russia) beats H. Stevic (France) 7-5, 6-3; E. Kazionova (Russia) beats M. Komano (France) 6-1, 6-4; A. Firman (Ukraine) beats M. Lollia (France) 6-4, 6-4; S. Dal (Germany) beats L. Karren (France) 6-2, 6-0; A. Lew Yan Foon (France) beats A. Martial (France) 6-4, 6-2; M. Noel (France) beats S. Iliev (France) 6-0, 7-5; A. Rezaï (France) beats O. Helmi (Denmark) 2-6, 6-3, 10-6; V. Diatchenko (Russia) beats C. Fontenel (Switzerland) 6-3, 6-1.