Anytime there’s an ATP Challenger Tour occasion in France, the native followers flock to observe world-class tennis. The Cherbourg Challenger, which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this week, is a working example.
The longest-running French Challenger has been a staple {of professional} tennis for 3 many years. Year after yr, spectators have loved seeing a few of the sport’s stars earlier than they turned family names.
The Challenger Cherbourg La Manche can be the longest-running indoor Challenger and has featured previous champions equivalent to former World No. 4 Sebastien Grosjean [1999 champion] and 2017 Nitto ATP Finals winner Grigor Dimitrov [2011]. In 2003, Rafael Nadal was a finalist (l. Sergio Roitman) simply two years previous to successful his first Grand Slam title simply three hours east in Paris.
That’s what the Challenger Tour has taken satisfaction in its 45-year historical past: Providing tournaments for younger stars to realize professional expertise and develop their abilities all whereas competing for factors and prize cash.
There are not any handouts on Tour. Hard work is required as gamers journey weekly internationally. Even Novak Djokovic labored his manner via the Challenger circuit, together with in Cherbourg, the place he reached the semi-finals in 2005. Now, the Serbian is a 22-time main champion.
The Challenger Cherbourg La Manche is the seventh-longest-running Challenger match. The organisers, Alain and Anthony Thiebot, take nice satisfaction of their constant presence on the Challenger Tour. Alain based the occasion and initially directed the match till his son Anthony took over in 2020. Alain continues to be closely concerned in operating the match to at the present time.
“More than 30 years in the past, the French Tennis Federation referred to as my father as a result of there was the necessity to create a Challenger Tour occasion to assist in the lead up of the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 match,” Anthony advised ATPTour.com. “In just some months, my father gathered a group and he organised the primary version of the Challenger Cherbourg La Manche. The group was composed of volunteers, family and friends. As everybody loved the expertise, we determined to proceed yr after yr.”
When requested about what has stored this match operating for a trio of many years, Anthony was clear: laborious work, relationships, and reminiscences remodeled the previous 30 years.
“I believe that the principle motivation is for the volunteers working on the occasion, as a result of we like to remain collectively and reunite in the course of the lead-up and the occasion itself,” Thiebot stated. “We know it’s actually laborious work within the months previous to the start of the match, however we expertise so many good moments in the course of the match that we actually wish to proceed yr after yr.
“The friendship with the gamers through the years, for instance with Kenny De Schepper, who’s in his fifteenth version, or Alexandre Sidorenko, who participated for 14 occasions. My father as soon as stated that Alexandre is sort of a second son to him. I’ve no siblings however I all the time dreamed to have a sister or a brother. Eventually with Alexandre we now name one another ‘bro’. It’s a particular bond you develop with the gamers and to see them develop, each on and off the tennis court docket, is so particular.”
Challenger Tour Colleagues Extend Their Congratulations
Vancouver Challenger match director Rik De Voest, who received Cherbourg in 2005: “Congratulations to Cherbourg Challenger on their thirtieth anniversary of offering world-class tennis to their group, a formidable achievement. As a former participant of the occasion, my first ever match expertise in Cherbourg was in 2003 and was in opposition to a younger participant by the title of Rafa Nadal! I misplaced in three units. I had success in doubles that yr, successful the title by saving I consider near seven match factors within the last.
“I returned in 2005, arriving late on Tuesday (as a result of enjoying in a last the week earlier than), with out too many expectations. I might go on to win the singles title, my first Challenger singles title. You all the time bear in mind your first title, and this one holds a particular place for me, and allowed me to determine myself on the Challenger tour.
“From one tournament director to another, I wanted to wish Anthony Thiebot and his team continued success in their long-standing, established event.”
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Former World No. 10 and 2009 Cherbourg champion, Arnaud Clement, who’s now match director of the Aix-en-Provence Challenger: “I’ve many superb reminiscences on the historic Cherbourg challenger, the place I received my one and solely Challenger title. I congratulate the longtime match director Alain Thiebot, for these 30 editions and to Anthony Thiebot for taking on as director. I want a protracted life to the Cherbourg Challenger!”
Frenchman Alexandre Sidorenko, who reached a career-high 145 and is a longtime pal of the Thiebot household: “I first performed right here in 2003, once I had a wild card in qualies. The match director, Alain, was one in all my sponsors. We had a great relationship after that. I additionally performed doubles along with his son Anthony. Since that, I got here again yearly. The match helped me get quite a lot of expertise. And our households turned nice mates through the years. As quickly as I retired, I stored serving to them with the organisation of the occasion. We are like a household and I’m all the time completely happy to return again right here. It’s very particular.”
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Source: www.atptour.com