• Caroline Garcia became, overnight from Monday to Tuesday, the second French player in history to win the WTA Masters after Amélie Mauresmo.

  • This feat delighted the young members of Asul Tennis Villeurbanne, the training club of “Flying Caro” in the Rhône (from 2002 to 2009).

  • 20 Minutes

    attended the training sessions of the best Villeurbannais players between the ages of 10 and 12 on Wednesday.

    Some begin to dream of a trajectory similar to the current world number 4.

At Asul Tennis (Villeurbanne),

“Thank you to my training club, Asul, for the unconditional support.

This dedication made by Caroline Garcia, in the heart of a long corridor dedicated to the new queen of the WTA Masters, between press articles and #FlywithCaro posters, says a lot about her link with the Villeurbannais club.

Despite depressing weather preventing the use of the seven outdoor courts, the regulars of this sports complex also comprising six indoor courts were still euphoric on Wednesday.

Just 20 years ago, the now world number 4 had joined this structure to spend five seasons there, and draw the first outlines of a career at the very highest level.

During the many afternoon training sessions, the name of Caroline Garcia was on almost everyone's lips, less than two days after her American exploit.

Armand (11) admits to keeping “several autographs” from the local icon in his room.


Nathan wants to know everything about the final as soon as he wakes up

“Among my models, there is Mahut in doubles, and I also appreciate Nadal, Alcaraz and Ruud, he lists.

But of course I like to follow all of Caroline Garcia's results, even if it's more difficult when she plays in the middle of the night.

“Multiplying attacks from the back of the court not far from him, Nathan (11) had planned the blow Monday evening before this shock against Aryna Sabalenka (7-6, 6-4).

“I asked my parents to wake me up 10 minutes earlier on Tuesday morning so I could see some footage from the final.

As soon as I got up, I asked if she had won.

I was so happy that I wanted to take a tennis ball to send it all over the house.

It makes me as happy as when France became world football champions in 2018.”

This left-hander displays a radiant smile while evoking the resounding end of the season of “Flying Caro”, already semi-finalist at the US Open in September.

After all, it was not her who pushed him to take his first tennis license last season.

“I wanted to bring lots of cups home, like my dad who was 15/1,” says Nathan.

And for his debut in the second largest club in the metropolis of Lyon (850 licensees), he was trained by Muriel Merolle, Caroline Garcia's coach at Asul from 2002 to 2007. "When I threw my service too high, Muriel explained to me that Caroline also made this type of error at my age, ”he smiles.

A parallel that has enough to push many gones to dream.


"Ah, that's Caroline Garcia's club"

Thomas (10 years old), who plays tennis every Wednesday for 1h30, still has trouble imagining a professional day: “I'm mainly here to have fun.

I couldn't see myself doing this every day like her.

Already, I have all my CM2 homework to do on the side”.

Sarah, who is ranked 30/3 at 12, gets more carried away: “As we have such a reference who was formed in this club, we say to ourselves that one day, we could experience the same course as her” .

When you are fired at Asul, references to Caroline Garcia are indeed never far away.

"When I take part in a tournament with the Asul t-shirt, everyone around the pitch makes the same remark: 'Ah, that's Caroline Garcia's club'", indicates Orane (12 years old), also 30/3.

“The showcase here is Caroline Garcia, confirms Muriel Merolle, now director of Asul.

But we also have the training club label for 11 years, and the advantage of being right next to a metro stop.

All of these things help attract people.

»


“Flying Caro” back at the Asul on Monday

So much so that the hopes of tomorrow are not lacking at the Asul, between Martin, ranked 30 at only 9 years old, and even four children… 4 years old who already do two training sessions a week.

Certain training sequences are sometimes dissected in the Villeurbannais sports complex, as are the legend matches.

"We do small video sessions with the coaches analyzing the shots of the greatest champions: Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, and Caroline Garcia", slips Sarah.

Asul sports manager, Sébastien Mayeux explains: "In fact, some kids don't even know who Caroline Garcia is, but others are unbeatable about all her results and can't wait to celebrate her big season with her".

Because everyone has just learned that Caroline Garcia will be visiting next Monday for a signing session at her training club.

"It's going to be so cool to take the opportunity to hit the ball a bit with her," enthuses Armand.

And to remind "Flying Caro" how far it has come in two decades.

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WTA Masters: "Caroline Garcia marked the history of French tennis", underlines her former coach from Lyon

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