Windows onto the Court
“Tennis and ping-pong are the same. Except in tennis, players are standing on the table.”
This witty quote by the late French comedian Coluche sets the stage for a sport that continues to deliver unforgettable moments. Who could forget the epic 2008 Wimbledon final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer — considered one of the greatest tennis matches of all time? For many, such matches spark a passion that endures. Every tennis fan has a favorite player, a favorite match, and vivid memories. Tennis inspires, transforms, and transmits something hard to define. Let’s dive into this world through the eyes of those who play, teach, and innovate within it.
July 7, 1985
In the tennis hierarchy, there are levels: Tennis Québec, Tennis Canada, the ITF, and the ATP. There are also regional, provincial, national, and international tournaments for amateurs and pros alike — some trained, some not, some raising trophies on all kinds of courts. It can be overwhelming for newcomers. Enter Étienne Bergeron, a well-known figure in Québec tennis who’s been coaching future talent since 1988. Founder of EB Tennis and certified at high performance level 3 by Tennis Canada, Bergeron admits he didn’t always love tennis — until July 7, 1985, when Boris Becker won Wimbledon.
“I was at my grandmother’s in Québec City,” he recalls. “I couldn’t believe how cool tennis was. I instantly identified with him.” Bergeron and his friends would watch matches in slow motion on VHS to study technique. “Back then, we used wooden rackets that weighed a ton, on oversized courts, with balls that bounced too high. Now, we use progressive equipment adapted to kids’ size and skill level. They can succeed much earlier.”
Learning the Game, Step by Step
This progressive approach, brought from Switzerland about 15 years ago, adapts tennis to younger players: smaller courts, slower balls, right-sized rackets. “There’s school tennis, after-school tennis, municipal and private programs,” Bergeron explains. “At the Centre, we’re lucky to play recreational tennis on actual courts. When I started, we were stuck in wooden school gyms. It was unplayable — but we played anyway.”
In Vaudreuil-Soulanges, leagues and clubs pop up every summer. For the last three years, the sport-study program at Chêne-Bleu high school allows students to train at Centre Multisports. EB Tennis runs the program.
“Tennis teaches autonomy,” Bergeron says. “You manage yourself for three hours on a court. You learn stress management, problem-solving, professionalism, persistence, and respect. We may not have the best players yet, but we’ve got a strong, healthy environment.”
He insists kids under 10 should explore other sports too: “Athletic development should be 50/50 between physical literacy and tennis-specific training. But that’s a hard sell — parents don’t always get it.”
Brushing Death and Returning to Tennis
Among the standouts in the tennis program is Mathieu Morin. Having completed high school, he hopes to continue his tennis journey at a U.S. university. “You need to step out of your comfort zone. It gives you a new perspective on tennis,” he says.
The sport taught him independence: “In a match, you’re on your own. You learn to think clearly.” Four years ago, Morin nearly died in a longboard accident. Months later, he was back on the court — now ranked among the province’s top juniors.
“I still think about it. I’m grateful to be alive. I push hard because I know I might not have had this chance.” His coach, Étienne Bergeron, is proud: “He’s the big brother of the group. He’s who everyone wants to become — probably the best player in the region for his age.”
A Genius of Strings
Tennis also includes behind-the-scenes innovators like Serge Thibodeau. Originally from Granby and now in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Thibodeau is passionate about racquet stringing.
“When I strung my first racquet, I realized it made no sense for all strings to have the same tension,” says the former electronics technician. “That day, I set out to develop the world’s best stringing process.” After 12 years of work, he created a database of 660 stringing models. With his method, the racquet’s sweet spot — the optimal hitting zone — increased from 12% to 70%.
“The line between genius and madness is thin,” he jokes. “But I like to think what I did was genius!” Though approached to sell his invention, Thibodeau patiently awaits the right offer — continuing to improve comfort and performance for players who trust him.
Whether coach, player, or craftsman, tennis continues to captivate more fans — all chasing epic matchups like Nadal vs. Federer. Or maybe someday: Morin vs. Federer. Let’s hope he serves soon before the final ball is hit.