The “post-Eugene” era begins at Tennis Canada. After 21 years at the head of the National Bank Open, Eugène Lapierre is stepping down. In part at least, since he will remain as a special consultant, notably in support of his successor, Valérie Tétreault.
Updated yesterday at 4:06 p.m.
The news, rumored in the evening of Wednesday, was confirmed during an official press conference Thursday morning at the IGA stadium, a favorite place for tennis in Quebec.
The “rock star of tennis”, according to the president of the board of directors of the federation Peter Kruyt, felt for a few years that the moment to leave his place was approaching.
“Enough people have been asking me for a few years: how much longer are you going to do this, Mr. Lapierre? That’s a sign! “, he launched with a smile.
Various reasons motivated his decision to retire this year, in particular the quality of the team around him: “I have the impression of doing less and less. The gang, they are professionals in what they do. »
But the main reason, he explained, was that he felt he could help develop the sport in other ways. Starting in 2023, he will act as a special advisor to Tennis Canada and will focus on projects in Quebec, including improving access to courts and developing a long-term plan for the Montreal tournament. .
“For several years, we have developed the sport well at Tennis Canada, but from what we see from the results, we have developed the top of the pyramid well. […] We are not there yet on the participation side. When we compare ourselves on the European side, even the United States, South America and certain Asian countries, we do not have a large participation. »
In this sense, we probably worked miracles by being able to produce champions with the participation we had. It’s quite exceptional. But we don’t know what the future may be.
Eugene Lapierre
Mr. Lapierre has given himself two years to get things done. He will then be 68 years old. “If it goes well, we will see, we will continue! he exclaimed.
A titanic job
Eugène Lapierre has been involved in tennis since childhood. In 2001, a few months before the Canadian Open, he became the director of the Montreal tournament, replacing Richard Legendre, who had entered politics.
If there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s not scrapping his work. He is the one who started the tournament. For me, it was much easier to board a train that is already running, going at high speed.
Eugene Lapierre
Prior to joining Tennis Canada, Lapierre was Director of the Granby Challenger, Director of the Canadian Junior Tennis Open in Repentigny and Director of Tennis Programming and the Canadian Tennis Open. Since 1999, he has also acted as assistant to the tournament director, in addition to his many other implications.
Since 2001, the National Bank Open has continued to grow in popularity. This year, ticket sales were historic; 237,158 people attended the tournament and took part in the various activities organized throughout the week at the IGA stadium. That’s about 12,000 more than the previous record, set in 2019.
“Crusts to eat”
Eugène Lapierre’s successor, Valérie Tétreault, said she was “well aware” that she has a lot to learn and “crusts to eat”. She also delivered a tribute to Mr. Lapierre, under his embarrassed gaze, describing him as an “inspirational leader”, “unifier”, “authentic, generous, who takes the time for everyone”.
PHOTO STÉPHANE CHAMPAGNE, ARCHIVES THE VOICE OF THE EAST
Eugène Lapierre’s successor, Valérie Tétreault
I better get up early if one day I want to have a roadmap that looks a bit like Eugene’s. But I also know that I can count on a simply wonderful team to support me in all of this.
Valérie Tétreault, new director of the National Bank Open of Montreal
Tétreault has been director of communications at Tennis Canada since 2011. A former professional tennis player, she was national junior champion at age 18. She reached the main draw of the United States Open in 2009, then that of the Australian Open in 2010.
The 34-year-old woman today becomes the first woman to lead the Montreal tournament. She is also of the opinion that her career as a player will help her in her new position.
“It is certain that having this understanding of how things are done on the circuit, having seen several tournaments, having experienced them as a player, it will help me to build good relations with the players, players and their agents. »
“It’s a chance to be able to resume the tournament when he’s really healthy, when he’s doing well. »
From 56 to 96 players
Valérie Tétreault took the opportunity to announce that the National Bank Open would welcome 96 players rather than 56 starting in 2025. “That means that the tournament will be longer, that we will have more tickets to sell and that we will have to optimize our spaces. We don’t necessarily have the largest site if we compare ourselves to the other Masters 1000. We have to make sure we have this capacity. »