While in Ukraine, fighting continues in the port city of Mariupol and the authorities expect a Russian offensive in the east of the country, the refugees who have arrived here in recent weeks trying somehow to return to an almost normal life. This is the case of Anna Berizka, 35 years old. She arrived in France a month ago and has since lived with a family in Saint-Étienne.
A former professional player at Tennis club Beaulieu
She has also found work, as a volunteer for the moment, at the Tennis club Beaulieu, where she gives a hand to tennis teachers, the time to acquire some basics in French. “It’s a very beautiful language, but also very very hard, because many sounds are completely different from English for example“, explains Anna. When it comes to tennis, she masters it. She was a professional player when she was young and teacher in a club in Dnipro, her hometown, which she had to leave to flee the war.
Some of these relatives are still there, Anna hears from them on WhatsApp as soon as she can, but also worries when they have to hide in the bomb shelters because the sirens are sounding. So being able to give tennis lessons again, it’s like a breath of fresh air. “I’ve been giving lessons to children for almost two weeks, the club coaches are very professional, young, but with experience. It makes me happy to spend time with them on the court and to teach the students“, says Anna.
Referee at Roland-Garros?
In the future, she would also like to participate in competitions as an amateur player, as she did in Ukraine, but also to referee international tournaments. “I have been a referee for more than 10 years, I participated in tournaments like the Fed Cup or the Davis Cup. My dream would be to referee at Roland Garros. Maybe Carlos Ramos, the famous Portuguese referee living in France could help me…“Concludes the young woman, laughing.
– Tommy Cattaneo.