Stéphane RETALI: Beach tennis arrived in Reunion Island in 2003. We had the idea to organize an international open of beach tennis and the first one was in 2005. It starts in Saint-Pierre (town of south of the island) and moved to Saint-Gilles on the west coast in 2011. Every year it became bigger and bigger to be what you know now.
So organizing a big event is in our soul because we know that to promote beach tennis and your club, you have to organize an international event! I am one of the pioneers of beach tennis in Reunion and France and after having worked to the grow of several clubs, with friends, we decide to create in our place L’Etang Salé a club called BOURBON OLYMPIQUE BEACHTENNIS in 2012. As of 2013 we organized ITF G3 and now ITF6500$. Next year maybe more :)
BTRussia: Who have already confirmed participation, and who would you like to see?
Stéphane RETALI: The main problem is the cost of the air flight ticket with approach 700€ from Paris. So many players said to us that they would love to come but it’s too expensive. So for next year we are working with airplanes companies to get discount on the air flight tickets. Fortunately our main sponsor is Claude Payet which is managing a big gas station in Le Port under the license of Engen Company. He’s sponsoring the travel of certain players.
So we are happy to receive the big team Patricia Diaz N°1 rkg ITF and Flaminia Daina world champion 2015. For sure the Reunion twins Hoarau will the seed 2 with their rkg 9.
In the men draw we have just reunion players but with an high Level with Romain Hoarau Rkg25, seed 1 Mathieu Guegano and Theo Irigaray, the old Clavery and Bang...
BTRussia: Tell us a little about the development of beach tennis in the region where the tournament?
Stéphane RETALI: Reunion Island was the second place in the world, developing beach tennis after Italy. It means that we began to play in clubs 13 years ago. Our sport is really known in our island and it’s in the mood to play beach tennis in the beach. We have 6 clubs of beach tennis and a private club with courts alighted. We organize 2 ITF 10000$ in March and December, one ITF 6500$, 1 ITF 2500$, 3ITF 0$ and many double mixed and fun tournaments. For an island of 900 000 people it’s a huge, isn’t it? But we are effectively small and we won’t have in the future the same development than in Brazil for example. Moreover we expect that tennis federation will invest more in our sport.
BTRussia: What are the interesting innovations and surprises for the players you have prepared?
Stéphane RETALI: If it’s a surprise so I can’t talk about it ! lol But I can say that players will be accommodated in really good conditions and you will see when they’ll fill the player’s form that they will be happy.
BTRussia: Where to go, what sights and attractions nearby looking? What to try and buy (souvenirs, national drinks, etc.)?
Stéphane RETALI: Reunion Island is a wonderful island. At morning, you can climb to the volcano and after swimming in the lagoon. It’s possible to discover incredible water falls in the jungle and having nice excursion. It’s possible to surf in protected areas in Saint-Gilles. there‘re also possibilities to fish, scuba diving, snorkeling … When you come to our tournament, you will play on one of most beautiful beach tennis place ever ! Wait for the tournament movies! In 1 month in our island, it’s impossible to see everything. So you can come to our tournaments many times!
BTRussia: Your opinion about the development of beach tennis in the world and the prospects of inclusion in the Olympic Games?
Stéphane RETALI: We are in hurry to see beach tennis at Olympics because we are romantic’s beach tennis lovers. According to me we have to wait. In my island we speak creole language and we have a sentence for this which I translate like «don’t make the mud before the rain is falling».
So beach tennis knows a big development but we start from the bottom. We need before to be recognized in our countries by every people. Beach volley entered in Olympics game in 1996 but the fans began to play in Hermosa Beach (I send big hugs to my friends Marty Salokas and Donnie Young playing beach tennis in that place !) , Los Angeles, California in the 1920’s! So I think we have to promote the knowledge and the practice of beach tennis by more people in the world before. Be patient and work hard!
We glad to receive this big event on our beautiful black sand beach. We thanks particularly BTRussia who permit us to be more mediated. We send best wishes to all players in the world and especially to our friends from Ravenna, Aruba, Rio, Montpellier, Toulouse, Royan, Russia, Mauritius
