In January, Mallaurie Noël will not be in Australia. And she doesn’t care. After years of struggling on the international tennis circuit, Nantaise, climbed to 367e world place, has opted since 2022 for a more stable way of life: the National Circuit of Major Tournaments (CNGT). These events, certified by the French Tennis Federation (FFT), take place every year in France. If this circuit does not distribute any points for the ATP or WTA rankings, it offers attractive financial prizes in return.
“These tournaments are a bit of a second chance and allow me to make a living from my passion”, explains the 29-year-old player. Classified from one to three stars, depending on their prize money (the total sums distributed to players, according to their results), these competitions pay the winners rewards of 600 to 2,400 euros for women and 950 to 4,000 euros for men.
Enough to survive when Futures tournaments (third professional division) often represent financial pits. “With hotel, travel and food costs, I had a deficit of 500 euros in the account at the end of each monthconfides Théo Gravouil, French number 49 and former 491e worldwide. With the CNGT, I now earn a much better living. »
Paid accommodation and inexpensive meal plans
In tennis, only those who climb into the world’s top 200 – a level allowing access to the most prestigious tables – post earnings high enough to live comfortably. “ Without sponsor and without support from the federation, it was very difficult to get by », remembers Théo Gravouil, who spent six years in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) events before focusing on the federal circuit since 2021.
And the calculation is all the more interesting as the fees are reduced for CNGT tournaments. The FFT specifications require organizers to pay for athletes’ accommodation and provide inexpensive meals. “ It’s a real comfortsays Mallaurie Noël. It allows me to free up money to pay my coach for the week. » A luxury for the French number 28, who could no longer support “ to be alone » in tournaments abroad.
Without a coach to support them, these players find themselves left to their own devices most of the time and immersed in a certain anonymity. Unlike the CNGT circuit, where “ we are welcomed like kings and considered for our level”confirms Théo Gravouil. “It’s a more friendly atmosphererelates the licensee of the Yonnaise Tennis Entente. We are fully invested in the life of the tournament, via image contracts, and that does moral good. »
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