She was the revelation of the WTA 125 ofAngers then confirmed to Limoges. Beneficiary of a wild-card at home, Mallaurie Noel, 449th worldwide at the beginning of December, reached the quarter-finals in Anjou after two performances against Indian Ankita Raina then facing the Slovenian Polona Hercog, ex-35th world. The 27-year-old from Nantes made her mark in October by reaching the semi-finals in the $ 25,000 in Hamburg. During the Interclubs, she had displayed good form with her club Entente Yonnaise. But nothing foreshadowed such a level of play.
Mallaurie Noël at the microphone of Tennis Actu
Cousin of Pauline Parmentier, Mallaurie had even thought of stopping when the pandemic started in 2020. Finally, the Frenchie hung on and is giving herself a year and a half to reach the Grand Slam qualifications. Aware of what she is capable of doing now, Mallaurie Christmas could well continue to surprise in 2022. With a smile, the young woman, 388th in the world, looked back on her month of December – completed by a success at Vivaise’s CNGT – but also spoke of her career, her difficult times and his ambitions for 2022 at the microphone of Tennis News.
“I had a complicated year and it happens when I let go a bit”
Mallaurie, it was a pretty crazy month of December with the first two WTA 125s of your career … Three victories including one against Polona Hercog and a best ranking in 388th place. Are you in heaven?
Yes ! I wasn’t expecting it, to end the year like this… It was two great experiences in Limoges and Angers. I played well and I knew how to seize the opportunities of the wild cards so it was great.
Didn’t you imagine it?
Since I don’t have a lot of titles on the secondary circuit… for me it was having those titles and then doing the WTA. I didn’t even think about having a wild card in WTA. I’m already struggling to have toilets on the secondary circuit… (smile). Angers, it was my home, my region, so I tried and I got it.
How to explain that at 27 years old, you manage to have your best ranking and to have your best season?
It’s when you least expect it that it comes. I had a complicated year and it happens when I let go a little. I played without pressure, without waiting and it happened.
“I thought about quitting with the Covid. I wondered whether we shouldn’t change the project”
Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
I started at 10 years old, in Sautron, in the suburbs of Nantes. I had a private trainer for 10 years. My League has always supported me too. And now I have a private trainer to follow me in tournament.
The secondary circuit can be wearing. Did you say you thought about quitting? What was going on in your head at the time?
I thought about quitting with the Covid. I was 25 years old. It’s not like I’m 18 when you don’t ask questions. I wondered if we shouldn’t change the project. Finally, when the tournaments resumed, I saw that I missed it, that I wanted to travel and replay. I wanted results and it didn’t come so the start of the season was difficult. I let go at the end of the year and the results came.
I saw that you were passionate about traveling. Did that weigh in your decision?
Yes, but it’s more the desire to continue training. Every morning I wanted to practice. I missed it and as long as I miss it, I will continue.
Did you tell yourself that this chapter of your life was not over yet?
Yes, I have that feeling! Especially with these results. I didn’t want to stop and have regrets. I said to myself “Ok, you are going to take a coach with you on the tournaments, it will be hard financially but you will have given everything. “
“I was traveling alone and it was really hard… I was stagnating because of that too”
I imagine that financially it’s complicated, has it never worn you out? How are you doing?
I have sponsors who help me a lot and especially the Ligue des Pays de Loire which has always been grateful to me. I can train with coaches there and they help me financially too. I do CNGT to finance my year with also team matches.
Have you ever been stressed by the financial aspect on the court?
Not too much… Until 18 years old, my parents financed me. Then the first few years were hard to manage but then I adapted. If ever I don’t have enough money, I do less tournaments and that’s it, but I never put myself under pressure.
How did you do before having a private coach?
I was traveling alone and it was really hard… I was also stagnating because of that. There are girls who play well, young people who arrive. It’s hard to compete with the accompanied girls all the time and I felt really lonely.
We remind you that you are cousin with Pauline Parmentier. Was she able to help you with your project?
Of course, I have always followed his career. Now she has more time, she is no longer available so it’s too good and I’m taking advantage of it that’s clear.
Conversely, have you been “tired” with that?
We tried not to talk too much about it to avoid these questions. In Angers, we were together all the time so we couldn’t deny it. We will be confronted with these questions, but it is more positive than negative.
“I realized that I had the level”
How do you see 2022 now, your plans have changed?
It didn’t change my plans. I take a vacation and then I do my physical preparation. My state of mind has changed. I realized that I had the level to string together matches against top 200 players. I became aware of things that I will have to develop.
I imagine the years on the high school circuit made you doubt yourself too?
Yes, there were a lot of ups and downs. I could play a game like that and then immediately question myself. Now, it makes me want to continue, beat these girls.
What would a successful 2022 look like?
Ouhla… (smile) I’m not going to talk about results but rather about attitude. If I manage to keep this motivation and this line of work, the results will inevitably follow.
A second title, that will surely be an important goal. Can the Roland-Garros qualifiers be the carrot of the first half of the season?
No no. I prefer to move forward every week. I focus on my tournaments every week and we’ll see.
“I gave myself a year, a year and a half with my coach”
You still have many years to give to tennis but do you think about the next step?
Yes, I thought about it when things were wrong. I gave myself a year, a year and a half with my coach. I set myself that time. Why not get my coaching diploma. I am in training as an interior designer.
It means that in two years, if you are 400e, will you move on?
Yes that’s it ! What I want is to go above and play at the highest level. So reach the Grand Slam qualifiers.
Are you not at all stressed about turning the tennis page?
No, I’m not stressed, but I know it will be hard to quit. I always want to play. If I stop the circuit, I will still do CNGTs. From there until I quit tennis altogether, years ago.
What can we wish you for the next few months?
Have a good holiday already! (laughs) To do tournaments like that again, especially to have fun. To continue on my way.
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