Today, he makes us dance, but a few years ago, he made us vibrate. Who hasn’t shouted for joy, or bit their nails in front of a Yannick Noah tennis match. In particular in 1983 when he faced the Swede Mats Wilander (then 5th in the world) in the final of the French Open, also called Roland-Garros. Several years after Maurice Bernard, France finally has a new champion at only 23 years old. Following this victory, all tennis fans hope that the sportsman will continue his ascent and continue to offer titles to his country. Unfortunately, no more Grand Slam titles will be stored in its showcase.
This does not detract from the talent of Yannick Noah who will still record 23 titles during his career. And everyone knows that few French athletes can claim to have such a fine track record. And no doubt this one could have been even bigger. If only he hadn’t taken the lead with his 90s romance: Erika Wollveber. In a relationship with the young Californian for a year, the interpreter of “Saga Africa” then played the Australian Open in 1990. He achieved a remarkable career and qualified for the semi-finals of the Grand Slam tournament, eliminating the American, and tennis monster, Pete Sampras as noted by our colleagues from Gala.
Only here, his “girlfriend” at the time decides to take the lead the day before his decisive match and “offers” him an argument “that lasts all night“, remembered the tennis player during an interview for Tennis Magazine six years after this event. “I arrive on the court completely upside down, and I lose without playing. A waste, because I was playing my best tennis”, he says, his heart still heavy and full of regret. Difficult years followed and numerous defeats at the start of tournaments which forced him to retire prematurely.
RF
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