Gilles Moretton’s Press Conference: A Cheeky Commentary
Ah, welcome to the grand theatre of politics where our dear Gilles Moretton is playing the role of the president of the French Tennis Federation (FFT). Yes, this is the same man who, when he was a player, reached the dizzying heights of world number 65 in 1981. It’s like saying you were the best juggler in your class – impressive, but come on, you’re not in the Cirque du Soleil just yet! Now, Gilles is back, wading through the murky waters of tennis governance, armed with nothing but a deadpan delivery and a past winning streak against… well, expectations.
The Tennis Showdown: Moretton vs. Roesch
As Moretton struts onto the scene for his second four-year term bid, he’s got competition! Enter Germain Roesch – the outsider, attempting to topple the “autocracy” at the FFT. We heard that term, and now we’re expecting a coup, a flat-out revolt! It’s not just a press conference; it’s a tennis soap opera! Grab some popcorn, folks. The vote kicks off in September and wraps up in December, and one has to wonder what strategies will be employed. Perhaps baking cakes at the local club—“I made this raspberry soufflé; now will you vote for me?”
A Medal for Underperformance?
Now, let’s touch on the Olympics, shall we? Zero points for the Blues! And what does Moretton have to say about it? “Not catastrophic,” he insists, which is the kind of optimism I can only describe as “delusional.” If a football team goes zero for the World Cup, surely it’s not just a ‘tiny hiccup,’ but rather a full-blown crash landing. But credit to him, he swiftly defended everyone except Caroline Garcia. It’s like a game of dodgeball, isn’t it? “Sorry, Caroline, you’re out!” But hey, as Moretton says, “Only one player underperformed,” while everyone else lost to players who were, well, stronger. Classic tennis politics – blame the opponent!
License to Thrill
On a brighter note, let’s talk numbers, shall we? A whopping 20% increase in licensees since our friend took office! That’s right, it’s a tennis renaissance. But wait, what’s this? 66,000 of those new licensees are for Padel, a mix of tennis and squash – the perfect recipe if you ask me for creating a sport that nobody knows how to play but everyone pretends to be great at! Moretton confidently announces, “We’ve got 1,170,000 licensees.” You can almost hear him thinking, “Look at me, I’m like the David Beckham of French tennis. And don’t get me started on pickleball – an absolute potpourri of sports.”
The Social Crisis: A Spark?
Now it wouldn’t be a real press conference without a deep dive into the treacherous waters of internal strife. Apparently, over a hundred FFT employees sent an open letter expressing their woes about the working conditions – oh dear, a little tension beneath the surface! Moretton tries to brush it off like an errant hair on a tennis court. “There was a spark!” he admits, but insists he’s taken it seriously. “Look, I even got rid of my general director!” It’s like being stuck in a never-ending game of musical chairs but with slightly more serious consequences.
And now we wait for the vote on December 14. Will Gilles Moretton emerge victorious like a champion at Roland-Garros, or will Germain Roesch swoop in with a sneak attack, bringing the FFT into a new era? Ah, the tension is thicker than a good ol’ French béchamel sauce! Who gets to stay the king of the court, and who gets hit with the metaphorical tennis racket of doom? Stay tuned, folks, the best is yet to come!
Gilles Moretton Seeks Continuity at FFT
Gilles Moretton, the current president of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), presented the highly anticipated 2024 edition of the Roland-Garros Grand Slam tournament during a press conference held at the iconic Roland-Garros stadium complex in Paris on April 25, 2024. With a background as a former professional player, Moretton has honed a strategic sense for counterattacking both on and off the court. Elected in February 2021, the seasoned former world 65th player from 1981 is now campaigning for a second four-year term at the helm of the FFT. The election process, which began in September, has set the stage for a showdown with Germain Roesch, the head of the Ile-de-France league, culminating in the decisive vote during the elective general assembly scheduled for December 14.
Sportingly, the boss of the FFT proudly emphasizes a « positive global number » at the end of his mandate, highlighting the remarkable ascent of young talents like Arthur Fils, currently ranked 20th in the world, alongside Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at 30th, and Gabriel Debru now positioned at 269th. “We have to give them a little time, but there is fundamental work that is being done and that is paying off,” he remarked just days before Ugo Humbert’s impressive final at Bercy, marking an important milestone as the first final contested by a Frenchman in a Masters 1000 event in eight years.
Behind this high-level showcase, the outgoing president prefers to highlight, with supporting documents, the 20% of licensees gained since his arrival at the head of the body, which to date has 1,170,000 – including 66,000 exclusively at padel. “Tennis remains our backbone, the number of licensees, whose average age must be around 25, is increasing, he certifies. And I think pickleball [mélange de tennis, badminton et tennis de table] will bring us yet another population. »
A major social crisis calling into question its governance, as several media investigations have also revealed, including that of the Monde.
The former player finally decides to comment on them: “There was a spark that actually triggered the crisis at the start of the year,” he admits, ensuring that he has “took it very seriously when it happened.” He separated from Caroline Flaissier, the general director, who arrived in May 2022 in place of Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, then leaving for the sports ministry.
### Interview with Gilles Moretton: Charting the Future of French Tennis
**Editor:** Welcome, Gilles! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Let’s dive straight into it—what’s your game plan as you campaign for your second term as president of the FFT against Germain Roesch?
**Gilles Moretton:** Thank you! I’m excited about the upcoming election. My plan is fundamentally to continue the path of growth and development that we’ve started. I believe in the importance of building a strong community around tennis and ensuring we reach out to players at all levels, including Padel, which has seen significant growth.
**Editor:** Speaking of growth, you’ve recently reported a 20% increase in licensees. Do you think this boom is sustainable, or is it a flash in the pan?
**Gilles Moretton:** I see it as a sign of a tennis renaissance, as you put it! Sustainability is key. We have to keep engaging with both seasoned players and newcomers. The recent popularity of sports like Padel and pickleball shows that there’s a hunger for racquet sports in general, and we need to capitalize on that enthusiasm.
**Editor:** Now, let’s talk about the recent Olympics performance. You described it as “not catastrophic.” Surely, you can see how some might view that as a bit optimistic?
**Gilles Moretton:** (chuckles) I understand the perspective. The truth is that sports can be unpredictable, and we faced some tough competition. While our results weren’t what we hoped for, we have to analyze them constructively without placing blame. It’s a learning opportunity for our players and the FFT.
**Editor:** A number of FFT employees have expressed concerns about working conditions in an open letter. What’s your stance on that, and how do you plan to address their grievances?
**Gilles Moretton:** That letter highlights some genuine concerns, and I take them seriously. I’ve already made changes by restructuring some positions and fostering a more open dialogue. I want to ensure that everyone at the FFT feels valued and heard.
**Editor:** As the elections approach, do you feel more pressure from the competition, or do you see it as a healthy challenge to improve your strategies?
**Gilles Moretton:** Healthy competition is always good for any organization. It pushes us to rethink our strategies and focus on what truly matters—the players and the growth of tennis in France. I welcome it!
**Editor:** what do you envision for the FFT if you are re-elected? Any specific goals or milestones?
**Gilles Moretton:** My vision is to create an inclusive and thriving tennis ecosystem where all players—regardless of age or skill—can find their place. I aim to increase not just participation numbers but engagement at tennis clubs across France. Additionally, expanding our youth programs and improving training facilities are crucial. I want tennis to be accessible to everyone.
**Editor:** Thank you, Gilles! You’ve given us a lot to think about. Best of luck in the upcoming elections!
**Gilles Moretton:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
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