Rebecca Marino still remembers her first meeting with the legendary Billie Jean King, a pioneer of women’s tennis and an outspoken advocate for gender equality for decades. It was at the US Open, in her very debut as a professional.
“She organized a meeting for the recruits, for the girls who were starting with the pros, says the Canadian. We could ask him whatever questions we wanted, but of course, we were all a little embarrassed! Basically, she told us to go after our dreams. »
“It had a big impact on me and on the other players who were there,” she adds.
Ten years have passed and on Wednesday, the two women will participate in the C2 Montreal conference. Marina, 81e world, was invited there thanks to a partnership with Tennis Canada.
Because it is known, the career of the 31-year-old athlete deserves attention. In 2013, after reaching 38e rank on the WTA, the British Columbia player has retired, struggling with mental health issues.
Five years later, she chose to resume her racket. But his return to the tennis elite was strewn with pitfalls: administrative problems, injuries, a pandemic…
Obstacles she has crossed to re-enter the top 100 this year, while waiting to continue to climb the ladder.
For equal pay
However, it will not only be a question of mental health during his visit to C2 Montreal on Wednesday, shortly before that of King. Marino will also talk about gender equality in tennis, a subject that is also close to his heart.
“In major tournaments, the purses are now fair, which is great, she points out. But I feel like there’s still work to be done. In lower category tournaments, such as the 250, men are even paid more than women. »
“But if we compare tennis to other sports, precisely, I have the impression that we are the leaders in terms of gender equality,” continues Marino. I also think that there is a lot of respect between the players and the players. »
Part of its history
Of course, during the conference, Marino is also likely to reflect on his own journey and the problems that plagued his life at the start of his career.
A story she has become accustomed to telling, over the good performances she has obtained over the past two years.
“I’m not in that mindset anymore. I no longer worry about my mental health. But I understand that it’s part of my story, she points out. I also know that it is very relevant right now, when many people are talking about it. »
“The progress I had to make, the hardships I had to go through to be where I am today, I think it’s quite interesting. I’m happy to talk about it, because I see a lot of positives in my career today. »