Playing center court at home like Leylah Fernandez is doing this week is an experience that can be exhilarating.
But it can also be stressful and you have to learn to manage the pressure that comes with having this great privilege.
“It took me a long time to enjoy Central and I found it really funny and interesting when Leylah said in an interview that she wanted to come out with a smile.”
It is Marie-Ève Pelletier who brings this phrase to life. The TVA Sports analyst has competed in the Canadian Open fifteen times, including several main draw games. She knows what she’s talking about.
Learn
The former player explains that playing in midfield comes with a learning curve.
“The first few times I was miserable, I was very stressed. I wasn’t on the level of Leylah or Bianca [Andreescu]. When I was younger I wasn’t listed because I was a junior and had to compete against top 100 girls. That was impressive and felt more comfortable in front of the whole world.
Pelletier believes that being the center of attention with the right attitude makes all the difference.
“Mental state is important because Montreal is noisy, it can be distracting. But it’s also nourishing and at times you feel like you’re on a cloud.
Unforgettable
For the Quebec player, the fondest memory comes from 2006.
This time she appeared on the field liberated, head held high and willing to have fun.
“I thought it might be the last time I play here as I played against Na Li who was ranked 20th in the world. I had a bad foot injury and just wanting to enjoy the moment, listening to the crowd and not looking at the floor, came in and played really well.
She’s kind of reminiscent of Leylah Fernandez, who said after Tuesday’s win that she wanted to savor every moment. Pelletier also reminded that a career passes quickly and therefore every moment counts.
“It took me ten years to figure that out and she already understands everything. If you like winning, it’s not the same adrenaline you find playing cards or table tennis.
perspective
It’s the pressure of playing in front of 10,000+ people on Center Court. Because of this, you must redefine yourself before entering the tunnel that leads to the field.
“Perspective becomes super important,” says Pelletier. People paid, they want to see me play. It means they like me, they want to take me for me. It’s still cool. So they want to give them what they get for their money.”
She points out that the pressure does not come from the stands, but from everything around it, such as social networks. Above all, what she retains is the momentum that a game gives in front of her fans.
“Even though I wasn’t looking to win sometimes in Montreal, I played well afterwards. I played big games at the United States Open because it helped me.”