2024-11-09 10:05:00
At the Open Paratennis du Loiret, the doubles crowned their winners, while the Tricolores improved their record, with a few trophies.
Before the big day on Saturday, the Open Paratennis du Loiret crowned the doubles. Proof that the tournament has reached another milestone, the winners are international, and regulars on the podiums at the highest world level. Paralympic medalists and members of the world top 10,he best wheelchair tennis players on the planet held their place in the Loiret. Upgraded to ITF2 last year and with a prize money of $28,000, the tournament attracts very high level players.
A beaten Paralympic champion
At Paris 2024, the Japanese Manami Tanaka went for Paralympic gold. At the Open Paratennis du Loiret, she will have to be satisfied with the final trophy. With the British Lucy Shuker, the duo lost after a very good final. On the other side, the Chinese Zhenzhen Zu and the Colombian Angelica Bernal won in two sets (7-67-56-3). Teammates one day, they are adversaries the next. Zu and Bernal face each other in the women’s singles final, this Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
100% Dutch final, before the other…
In both doubles and singles, we are entitled to exclusively Dutch finals. In this Oranje hegemony, it is still the “old” generation that has the upper hand. In Saran, Tom Egberink and Maikel Scheffers retain their title. A dry and clear victory against their compatriots Ruben Spaargaren and Maarten Ter Hofte, in two sets (6-0, 6-2). The two finalists have the opportunity to catch up on Sunday afternoon, as they face each other for the title in the singles final (3:30 p.m.).
Blue victories
On the French side, several trophies bring balm to the heart. After the French setbacks in the main draws, several blue-white-red representatives gleaned victories. In the quads, the young Justin Michel, 19, won in doubles alongside the Argentinian Lazarte. After an unbearable super tie break, the Franco-Argentinian duo beat Masaryk and Slade (5-7, 6-4, 11-89). On the consolation side, Nicolas Charrier defeated the Chilean Brayan Tapia in two sets (6-3, 6-4). Finally, in the secondary table, a Franco-French final. Timothée Da Costa Santos beats the local Jordy Leroy (7-5, 6-1).
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**Interview with Lucy Shuker: Reflections on the Open Paratennis du Loiret and Future Aspirations**
**Interviewer**: Lucy, it was a tough match at the Open Paratennis du Loiret in the women’s doubles final alongside Manami Tanaka. Can you share your thoughts on the match and what you feel contributed to the outcome?
**Lucy Shuker**: Absolutely, it was a challenging match. Manami and I gave it our all, but we just couldn’t find the momentum we needed against a very strong pairing. Ultimately, a few crucial points didn’t go our way, and that made the difference. It’s always tough to come so close and not take home the title, but I’m proud of our performance.
**Interviewer**: This tournament marked an important milestone with its upgrade to ITF2 status and an increased prize pool. How did this elevate the competition and your overall experience at the event?
**Lucy Shuker**: The upgrade to ITF2 definitely brought a higher caliber of players, including some of the top-ranked athletes in wheelchair tennis. Competing against Paralympic medalists and familiar faces from the world stage is always a privilege. It creates a vibrant atmosphere and makes the competition tougher, which is what we train for. I loved being a part of such an exciting event.
**Interviewer**: Looking forward, as you prepare for the upcoming season, what are your goals and strategies to bounce back from this setback?
**Lucy Shuker**: My focus is definitely on learning from this experience. Each match teaches me something new. I want to work on my game to be more aggressive and capitalize on my strengths during critical moments. Participating in more tournaments will also help to sharpen my skills and regain that winning momentum.
**Interviewer**: With the Paris 2024 Paralympics on the horizon, how do you maintain your motivation and focus during periods of ups and downs like this?
**Lucy Shuker**: It can be tough, but I remind myself why I love this sport. The support from my team and the thrill of competition keeps me going. Additionally, I’m setting smaller goals along the way to Paris, which helps to keep my motivation high. It’s about staying focused on the process and enjoying the journey as I work towards one of the biggest moments of my career.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Lucy. We look forward to seeing how you progress in the upcoming events!
**Lucy Shuker**: Thank you! I appreciate your support and can’t wait for what’s next.
