In Quimper, the Tennis Open took Cécilia to Roland-Garros – Quimper

“Giving the towel to Federer and Djokovic are memories that last for life,” enthuses Cécilia, a young Quimper. Guided by the footsteps of her brother, she also decided to become a tennis ball collector at the age of 13, before being selected for major tournaments. Today, from the height of her 17 and a half years, she remembers this period.

From the Quimper Open to Roland-Garros

She begins by being a ball collector at the Quimper Tennis Open. “Small tournaments like Quimper are a good springboard for those who want to play big tournaments. Here, each young person can participate by making a request to his club. After Quimper, she decided to take the plunge and try the selection for the famous Roland-Garros tournament: “We are 4,000 to present themselves each year and there are only 250 to be chosen. The 50 best are also selected for the Rolex Paris Master and I was one of them”. Cécilia had to pass several tests before being selected. “We were judged on our speed in picking up the balls, our precision and our team spirit, which is very important”, specifies the young woman.

Meet your idols

It was also an opportunity for her to meet her favorite players: “It was incredible to see my idols in person”. Beyond being a ball collector, Cécilia is above all a tennis player. She still had to put her passion aside a little this year, in favor of her law studies. She is no less amazed when she talks about this sport: “To be a collector, it is important to be passionate. We are clearly on the pitch, so it is impressive”.

A source of inspiration

Cécilia is now past the age of being a ball boy, since this position is aimed at young people aged 13 to 16. But she remains a source of inspiration: “A lot of little ones come to see me to ask me how to do to have the same course,” she says. At this year’s Quimper Tennis Open, she is now on the other side of the post. With Jean-Jacques, responsible for the ball boys, she supervises the young people.

A family passion

“In the family, we are very tennis, I have been a volunteer since the first year of the Quimper Open and my children are collectors”, confides Carine, her mother. She also works for the sports tournament but as an usher. “I’m always happy to be there, we see some great tennis, we meet up, it’s nice,” she adds. Cécilia’s brother is in the process of obtaining his tennis coaching diploma. As for the dad, he plays competitive tennis.