Open 10-12 years TCBB: Blagnacaise Victoire Koko stopped in the last square

We left her last July after her title at the national tournament in Rochefort, in the 11 year old category. Six months later, Victoire Koko (Blagnac TC blagnactennisclub.fr) did not lift the biggest trophy this time at the Open 10-12 at TC Boulogne Billancourt. But the protege of Arnaud Segodo (her uncle) can still be proud of her career: a semi in singles and a final lost in doubles.

“In this tournament, she really reached a milestone, particularly in terms of combativeness and determination. Without forgetting that she had to stop playing tennis for two and a half years due to growth problems,” confides the former 354th in the world. In the singles table, the Blagnacaise was exempted from the first round. Behind, she dominates a Swiss in three sets. She then took out a Briton in two sets, then a Finn in the quarters, in three sets. As for the half, the Russian Lyubov Pronenko had the last word, again in three sets.

Segodo: “I was surprised by his level of play”

“As with every tournament, I was tense during my first match. But I especially remember the half where I lost the first set and found myself trailing 4-1 in the second. Nevertheless, I was able to come back and finally pocket this second round. It doesn’t matter much. My opponent was more consistent,” specifies this 6th grade student.

Her coach looks back on the quarter-final: “Honestly, I was surprised by Victoire’s level of play. Opposite, her opponent was one of the favorites for the title and she gave no points.”

A first selection for the French team

At the same time, in the doubles table, Victoire signed this beautiful performance alongside her compatriot Juliette Laffont. “We knew each other, but it was the first time we played together side by side. In the final, we felt that our opponents had more automatisms than us,” underlines the BTC player, ranked 4/6.

After the Parisian break, the young girl received good news: a first selection for the French U12 team. “She had already taken part in friendly meetings. But this is his first official selection to compete in the Winter Cup, the qualifications for which will take place at the end of the month in Finland. We knew she could get it. However, nothing is decided in advance. It’s a great reward. But we must continue to keep our feet on the ground,” explains Arnaud Segodo.

The father, Olivier, also agrees: “Yes, as parents, we are very proud of her. But we are well aware that everything requires work and humility.” Note that in her diary, before flying to Finland, Victoire will go through the Petits As de Tarbes for the qualifying table.