One of the best French tennis players died overnight from Sunday to Monday. Settled for many years in New Caledonia, she was invested in her sport as well as in community life. A few months ago, she had agreed to share her courageous fight once morest breast cancer which finally won her.
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She fought all her life. First, to be one of the best French tenniswomen. The Lyonnaise succeeds in 1988, Catherine Bonnet integrates the World Top 200 and the top 15 tricolor. But it is quickly stopped by a herniated disc and osteoarthritis problems. Her career is coming to an end, she is only 23 years old.
After this withdrawal from professional tennis, she found a second life in New Caledonia. “I fell in love when I arrived in New Caledonia. And I always said to myself that this was the place where I wanted to settle down if I stopped my career“. she confides at the time.
On the territory, his fight will be for the others. She helps with the refereeing and the programming of matches. The South Province hires her for the promotion of sport, she covers international youth tournaments, and launches the Kids Cup at the Olympic club.
Catherine Bonnet also participates in the Pacific Games. In Tahiti in 1995, she won in singles, in doubles with Stéphanie Diluccio and in mixed.
“My worst memory is losing in Fiji, I would have liked to end on a good note, I mightn’t. That’s life, that’s how it is. There are ups and downs. I have no regrets regarding my career and what I gave to the territory.” she said.
In the 90s, she created an association to raise funds in the fight once morest AIDS, a cause that is particularly close to her heart. In 2018, her life changes when she learns that she has breast cancer. The Receiving educator struggles in vain, while regularly sharing her experience. She finally died five years later.