VANCOUVER | Nathalie Tauziat will experience her second Billie Jean King Cup in Vancouver 35 years later.
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In 1987, France crossed swords with the United States in the quarter-finals of the Fed Cup. “I remember having faced Chris Evert when Vancouver hosted the Fed Cup, underlined the assistant coach of the Canadian team which won the title under the French colors in 1997. Vancouver is a beautiful city that I love good. »
For the record, Evert won by scores of 6-1 and 6-0 and the Americans lost in the final to West Germany.
A nice story
The association between Tauziat and the Canadian team has continued since 2012. A great love story with Canada? we ask him. “It’s a great story,” she said. It all started in Moscow when I met André Labelle (Tennis Canada coach) during a Fed Cup tournament. With Louis (Borfiga) as the big boss of Tennis Canada, it was a good start for me. Sylvain (Bruneau) gave me my first opportunity and I worked for three years with Eugenie (Bouchard) when she was between 15 and 18 years old. »
Tauziat believes that Bouchard still has the tools to regain a good level of play. Operated on one shoulder and absent from the circuit for 13 months,
Bouchard was due to return to action this week at the ITF tournament in Palm Harbour, but his return has been postponed.
“I would like to see her again at a good level and I am convinced that she is capable, indicated Tauziat, who reached the Wimbledon final in 1988. Tennis is what she does best and she achieves more and more that she likes to play. Eugenie can return to the Top 100, or even the Top 50 if she remains healthy and pursues her project thoroughly. »
With Andreescu
Tauziat also managed Bianca Andreescu, who is due to take over at the Stuttgart tournament on April 18 after receiving a pass from the organizers, and Aleksandra Wozniak. “Bianca has enormous tennis and physical qualities which are different from Eugenie’s qualities, explained the mother of three daughters. She can find the Top 50 without problem. »
Tauziat believes Canada has the potential to win the Billie Jean King Cup one day. “With the group of girls we have, it’s a possibility,” she said.
Special experience
Last October in Prague for the final of the Billie Jean King Cup, Tauziat had a special experience when Canada crossed swords with France. Defending champions, the French were the big favorites against the Canadians who did not bet on their best elements, but they lost.
“It was fun to beat France,” she said. After the win, I told the girls that they made my day. Françoise (Abanda) had played a great match and Gabriela (Dabrowski) had ensured victory in doubles. In our next match, the Russians were too strong for us. »
“I remember when Tennis Canada hired me, Sylvain asked me how I would react when Canada faced France, to continue Tauziat. I had simply replied that I would do my job. That’s what I did in Prague. »
Under contract of 20 to 25 weeks per year with Tennis Canada, Tauziat still lives in Anglet, a city located near Biarritz, in the South West of France.
“I have three grown daughters at home, including 12-year-old twins that I have to take care of. I also collaborate with Harmony Tan who has just joined the French team for its first selection. »
Tauziat also worked with Canadians Mia Kupres and Kayla Cross during a camp in France.
Marino excited to play at home
For the first time in her career, Rebecca Marino will play a Billie Jean King Cup match at home.
Born in Toronto, Marino moved to Vancouver when she was just two years old. This opportunity to evolve in front of her family and loved ones fills her.
“I got about fifty tickets for my family and relatives and several other friends bought tickets on their own, she said on Thursday, on the sidelines of the draw for the Canada-Latvia duel. I thank the people from Tennis Canada who took care of this aspect otherwise I would not have succeeded. »
Extra pressure
“It’s an added pressure to play at home, but I’m excited and so happy to get this opportunity, to chase the 111th racquet in the world. I’m nervous because this meeting in my city means a lot to me. I remember watching Davis Cup games at UBC and the atmosphere was amazing. »
Marino is happy to perform at the Pacific Coliseum. “It’s a historic arena where Arthur Ashe played,” she said.
Good start to the season
Marino is happy with her start to the season and wants to use the Billie Jean King Cup to continue her progress. “I reached the final of my last three tournaments on the ITF circuit and qualified for the main draw of the Australian Open and the Miami Open,” she said. Here in Vancouver, we play on the hard inside which is my favorite surface. I want to use this event as a springboard to continue my progress. »
“I am very motivated and passionate about my sport, added the 31-year-old player who has taken two breaks during her career. I consider myself lucky to do what I do. »
Before the arrival of the other girls from the Canadian team last Sunday, Marino trained for a week with Sylvain Bruneau, the manager of professional tennis and transition at Tennis Canada. “I have my personal trainer in Vancouver, but it’s important to get another opinion from time to time. Sylvain is a fantastic trainer. He has known me since I started in Montreal at the age of 13 or 14 and we share the same vision. »
If his role is different, Bruneau still likes coaching. “I do less coaching, but I’m still a coach at heart, he summed up. I have known Rebecca for a long time and we also worked together in December and before and after the US Open. »