Former tennis player Valérie Tétreault thought she had to hold a conference for young fans in Montreal on Tuesday, but a big surprise awaited her.
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The Île des Sœurs tennis club, where she trained before turning professional, decided to honor her by implementing member Yanik Deschênes' idea: naming a court after her. And not just any dish: Court 9, “where it all began,” according to the star of the day.
The secret had been well kept and emotions overwhelmed the director of the National Bank of Montreal Open just before he left for vacation.
“I am very touched, very moved. It's a great recognition. “It warms my heart,” Tétreault immediately responded after recounting her trip to dozens of club academy players, with whom she then exchanged balls, hence her casual outfit.
“I noticed there was a banner on the ground and I thought it was strange,” the world's 112th ranked batsman added in 2010.
It must be said that Tétreault “started when she arrived [se] I doubt anything major is happening,” as she saw her aunt and first trainer Sylvie, her mother Maryse and her sisters Marilyn and Arianne.
“It is a portion of love that I received. I had the feeling that the people here hadn't forgotten me,” said the woman who has been hanging a banner on the club's ceiling since she retired at the age of 22.
Valérie Tétreault is surrounded by her aunt Sylvie, her first coach, Christine Picher, a former coach, and Eugène Lapierre, her predecessor at the helm of the National Bank of Montreal Open, on Tuesday at the unveiling of the name of a court tennis club Île des Sœurs. Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin, Le Journal de Montréal
A rain of praise
Teenagers described Tétreault as a person who represented well the values espoused by the club.
“I often use her as a model for young people because Valérie was super intense on the court,” Christine Picher, who coached her between the ages of 12 and 18, told the Journal. Valérie immediately caught your eye because of her determination, work ethic and commitment to the task. She was always 100% fit during training. She learned to hold on, to persevere, and when she fell, she got back up.”
“It was not for nothing that I had identified her as a possible successor as tournament director for several years [de Montréal]» added Eugène Lapierre, who said in an interview that he caused a small scandal outside Quebec by offering him a pass to the Rogers Cup in 2010 without relying on the rankings.
“I have always found that she has what it takes: judgment, calm, natural leadership, good values. You can’t trust anyone more than Valérie Tétreault,” he continued.
According to Ms Picher, Tétreault has “left his mark on the club” and it is just beginning.
“Their journey continues,” said the Club Academy coordinator and head coach of the physical education program. It is a guarantee of success. She is a hardworking, determined girl. At the age of 10 to 11, she came to class early in the morning at 6:30 a.m. and returned alone by bus to her home in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.”
“There is nothing like it that helps you concentrate for math class at 8 a.m.,” the main stakeholder explained to the young people.
The general director and co-owner of the Île des Sœurs tennis club, Harry Plafter (right), and a colleague reveal the surprise that awaited Valérie Tétreault on Tuesday. Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
“Intravenously fed”
“She had a virus at an ITF junior tournament in El Salvador, but she won. At the next competition in Costa Rica, she was fed intravenously in the clinic and was able to win,” said Ms. Picher.
The latter wants Tétreault to become a “spark plug” for the next generation, to whom she wants to make it clear that “it is not always easy, that her path has not been glamorous, but that it opens big doors”.
With so many questions from young people, Tétreault seemed to have caught their attention.
“If we believe somewhere that it can inspire young people, all the better. It makes me say that maybe I have achieved something in life,” she modestly claimed.
Valérie Tétreault spoke to young tennis players on Tuesday. Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin, Le Journal de Montréal
His intention
It's been a long time since Tétreault set foot in the club, but she always felt at home there and promised to come back.
“The goal will be not to step on my name! […] I was told I could come back whenever I wanted, that's what I heard, and I plan to come and hit balls. It was already my resolution for 2024 to play a little more. I’ll try to stick it out until at least the end of February!”