Martin Lange / Photo credit: URBANANDSPORT / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP
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7:17 a.m., May 23, 2024
D-3 from the official start of Roland-Garros – and while the draw takes place this Thursday afternoon – the qualifications continue at Porte d’Auteuil. Many French people dream of joining the main round, like Geoffrey Blancaneaux, 25 years old, excited by the excitement of the tournament which contrasts with his daily life.
There were 40 French people, men and women combined, chasing the same dream: playing a first round at Roland-Garros where the qualifying week continues, three days before the official start of the tournament. Europe 1 was able to speak with Geoffrey Blancaneaux, who defeated Croatian Duje Ajduković on Wednesday and who is only one victory away from the Grail.
“It’s really just fun. We’re going to try to make the most of every moment because there have been few days like this lately,” confides the French player. Winner of the Juniors tournament in 2016, Blancaneaux has already played a first round at Porte d’Auteuil in 2022. But at 25, like many young French players, he is slow to confirm. “Tennis is really a sport that is very mental. That’s why we, in these rankings, get stuck a little because we are a little more irregular in terms of seriousness, in terms of organization too”, he admits.
A great financial transaction
The daily life of the 277th player in the world is essentially punctuated by Challenger tournaments, the second division of the circuit. Accustomed to the cozy atmospheres of Oeiras in Portugal, Prague and Asunción in Paraguay, he relishes the privilege of playing at Roland, in front of the French public. “In the Challengers, there can only be ten people in the stands, we are quite alone. And there, to see that we are so appreciated, so loved by the people, it’s great for us”, appreciates Blancaneaux.
Crowds, trust and, above all, a great financial transaction. If he manages to qualify for the main round, he will receive at least 73,000 euros. Almost double what he has earned since the start of the year.