A recent promise of
terrace extension has been carried out, not only efficiently, but with an attractive additional facility: the surface extension is painted blue, with white lines providing a miniature tennis court! The temporary addition of a net, has allowed members to practise play - most conveniently with a foam ball. This provides a valuable new training method - only to be used of course when the restaurant is not in use - but already several younger players are showing exceptional skill in this mini-game, which will surely add to their competences in real tournament & match play.
The second club improvement rapidly achieved is the arrival of
new furniture. The proprietors' choice was soon vindicated by the appreciative remarks of arriving members: here is a view which will surely convince many other new clients & members:
The numerous
plats du jour have been enjoyed by many of you & of your friends: Virginie & Manu, the Chef have devised further delights for your palates which you can investigate in a
newly-designed Menu. Look specially perhaps at the list of desserts available for the summer season we are going to celebrate soon.
You will remember the disappointing fate of our February Tournament under those depressing deluges of rain; well, here's a pleasant surprise for all of you who wield a useful racquet, & who haven't yet read Didier's notices. For the first time to my knowledge, we can announce the organisation of an
Internal Tennis Tournament. Consider the advantages arising from this decision:
1. All
Junior categories (unprovided for last February) are available.
2. The matches start on the
11th of this month, & continue up to the
23rd of June.
3. Competition is restricted to
Vignal members only - you already have seen how much easier it will be to beat some of your old friends, rather than those frightening visitors from other Clubs!
4. So now is that great opportunity to have that real
classement you've heard so much about, & have so much desired.
5. As more time is available, you are allowed to enter for more
categories, say 2 or 3.
6. The modest entry fee per category also pays for the
barbecue after the final matches.
Entries will be made through
Oliver or
Didier (Tournament Referee -
Juge-Arbitre) or by filling-in an on-line document I will send out.
Jonathan Eysseric
You should recognise this name as of the eldest son of Didier & Pascale, & our
leading player. He has been training hard recently on Court One, both physically with his coach, & at his game with his sparring partner, Jean-Philippe. From today you can see a photo of him in action just outside the restaurant. Here is another:
Here are a few details of his progress in high-level tournaments. You will remember he was World Junior Tennis Champion for the year 2008. Subsequently he has had experience of meeting many strong players - even age 17, he gave Andy Murray a difficult match. As left-hander he has been a useful sparring-partner for Roger Federer. But what about recent successes?
His performance in the Qualifications for the recent Monaco Tournament gave further hope for his future: against the Spaniard Albert Ramos he lost 7/5, 5/7, 7/6, with a match point for Jonathan in the third set. A disappointment to get so near; note the high world ranking (67 at the time; 38 last year, of Ramos.) The Spaniard continued several rounds after this close encounter, only losing to Fabio Fognini -semi-finalist loser to Djokovich. Then quarter-finalist loser to Nadal in Barcelone. High level tennis all this.
The local Grasse Open Tournament (a 'Futures' - level category) gave Jonathan a clear win in both Singles & Doubles. Great victories; but he will go higher than this............ Keep your eyes on your leading player!
