Amélie Mauresmo talks about her former rivals Henin and Clijsters: “I preferred to face Kim even if she gave me a few jerks off”

Fourteen years after putting away her snowshoes, the Parisian still returns with as much pleasure to the Porte d’Auteuil. She had already returned as a consultant and as a trainer for Andy Murray and Lucas Pouille. Since last season, she has discovered the role of director of a monument.

Amélie Mauresmo, what will be new at Roland-Garros for this 122nd edition?

”For the third edition with night sessions, the tournament has tried to solve a number of problems, particularly related to the late end time of the matches, for the players as well as for the public. The first point of the matches will be played at 8:30 p.m., instead of 9:00 p.m. in the past. Contractually, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) must schedule the poster of the day for the exclusive broadcaster of these meetings, Prime Video, in the evening session.

Amélie Mauresmo: “The racket of gold and diamonds from Antwerp is still in my wine cellar”

There is also a tribute to a player who inspired you a lot during your childhood…

”Yes, we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Yannick Noah’s victory at Roland-Garros. The charity day organized on Saturday May 27, on the eve of the first day of the tournament, is renamed ‘Yannick Noah Day’ and a fresco in his image will be unveiled the next day inside the stadium.

During the three weeks of the tournament, your schedule will be worthy of that of a minister. Outside of Roland-Garros, what is your life like today?

“I hardly ever play tennis anymore. I do not want. padel? Neither. It seems that it is very addictive but I did not crack. In reality, I practice two sports starting with running. I participate in one or two marathons a year. I definitely run three times a week. In November, I completed the San Sebastian marathon in 3:14 hours. Otherwise, I love playing Basque pelota when I go to Biarritz.”

Roland-Garros never really lets go of you throughout the year. Do you appreciate this more political role?

“I take a lot of pleasure in the management of the tournament. Obviously there are issues to deal with. But we work as a team. You have to be able to listen, discuss and make the best possible decisions. I don’t care too much about the political aspect. You know, the star is above all Roland-Garros. The place surpasses all the people who can tread its paths. The Grand Slam was there before us and will always be there after our passage.

The other star is Rafael Nadal anyway…

“Rafael Nadal is a blessing for our Grand Slam. His story here is fabulous. He is fantastic. When he’s gone, other incredible stories will be written. I am extremely disappointed for Rafael Nadal, who has to give up his heart tournament. I am also for the public of the Porte d’Auteuil as well as for all the tennis fans who will be deprived this year of this immense champion. Rafael Nadal, whose destiny is intimately linked to that of the Roland-Garros tournament, which he won fourteen times, will obviously be greatly missed. Even in the worst conditions, he constantly renewed his story.

Have you ever had a distaste for tennis?

“No never. I have always loved this sport. I held different positions. Whether as a player, coach, consultant or director, I always come back with a smile to the Porte d’Auteuil. After my career, I directly coached. Then I accepted the Davis Cup coaching job. As a consultant, I loved seeing so many matches. Today, I admit that I have less time to see the meetings.

Let’s go back to the time of the first titles of Rafael Nadal. You were at the top of world tennis. Are you nostalgic for this tennis of the 2000s?

“We had an exceptional generation with Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, the Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Elena Myskina, Jenifer Capriati and even Svetlana Kuznetsova.”

Titled at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, you have always experienced difficulties on your Parisian soil. What is your view of your career at Roland as a player?

“My best memory is and will remain my victory among the juniors. Afterwards, I put too much pressure on myself. It came first from me. I grew up here. I knew this meeting was important. I wanted so much to offer my best tennis. French men and women experience difficulties as a general rule. I believe that a girl like Caroline Garcia has the potential to go all the way. In boys, a presence in the second week is playable.

You had a ringside seat to compare Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters. Which of the two did you prefer to face on the circuit?

“That Belgium produced two such champions was amazing. Me, I preferred to play against Kim Clijsters even if she gave me a few jerks. With Kim, we often offered marathon matches with a very high intensity. Physically, we were going far. Justine offered a more technical game. His approach to the point was different. Kim and Justine clashed style-wise. I think I had the best matches with Clijsters.”

Justine Henin won everything except the Wimbledon tournament because of you. Have you talked about it since your respective retreats?

“I beat her in two Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon and Australian Open). She beat me in the final of the Athens Olympics in 2004. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since that time. We both have another life. Sometimes we talk to each other. We meet in particular at Roland-Garros. We both have respect for each other. We call each other sometimes.”

What image do you keep of Justine Henin off the pitch?

“I remember an anecdote. With Justine, we both met at Nathalie Dechy’s wedding. We were the two best players in the standings and we found ourselves in the Luberon in September.

Et de Kim Clijsters ?

“When I think of Kim, the first thing that comes to mind is that round of 16 at the US Open in 2002. I won 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. But, it is especially for the scene which takes place before the meeting. It had rained most of the day. I had met a guy from the WTA who told me that the match was postponed to the next day. Me, I went to the locker room to take my bag and break. I then see Kim, surprised, who asks me what I’m doing. She tells me that we are playing 30 minutes later. If I hadn’t seen her, I would have left. I would have lost this meeting without even playing it. We had played until the end of the night.