(Granby) Rebecca Marino has made the main draw at the last eight major tournaments. She solidified her place inside the top 100 and was the first seed at the Granby tournament last week. Ten years after announcing her retirement from tennis, she is finally experiencing her moment of glory.
“I didn’t know it was in the last eight,” exclaimed Marino when reminded of his Grand Slam streak.
“I am very proud to have come back so strong from retirement and many injuries. There were a lot of ups and downs. It’s nice to be back in the major tournaments, because that’s where we want to be, “she continued in the middle of the day, the day before her first game in Estrie.
In seven of her eight tournaments, she left after her first match. However, it should be understood that for a player outside the top 50, every breakthrough in the main draw is financially neuralgic. Contrary to popular belief or the ideal set forth by the biggest stars in the sport, not all professional players have lives of duchesses.
Since the beginning of his professional career, about fifteen years ago, Marino has pocketed just over $1,600,000 in winnings. Thanks to her most recent results, she has earned just over $360,000 in 2023. A considerable sum for a player despite a negative record on the WTA Tour.
Beyond the financial aspect, these first round matches in major tournaments give him the confidence to move forward. She feeds on her short experiences to build the future. Especially since at a certain time, she did not foresee any.
“You manage to gain momentum. In fact, all the first matches are super important, whether it’s in Grand Slams or in challengers tournaments like here, because that’s where you find your rhythm, “says the six-footer.
Thanks to his performance, Marino earned a pass from Tennis Canada for the upcoming National Bank Open in Montreal.
“I’m super excited,” she says before the question mark even arrives, laughing heartily, but shyly.
She had been at the heart of a crazy epic at Jarry Park in 2021 when she beat stars Madison Keys and Paula Badosa in quick succession, before losing to the tenacious Aryna Sabalenka.
This pass “shows that Tennis Canada greatly respects what I have done over the past few years and I appreciate what they are doing for me.”
She also learned the news a few days before the general public. “Valérie [Tétreault] let me know before the official announcement that everything was settled. Sylvain [Bruneau] also let me know. We know it a few days before the public, but I kept the secret even to those around me. »
A talented and efficient waitress, Marino “made her bread and butter” on the hard court. It’s what makes her happy to come home, where she can express herself to the fullest extent of her means. However, her time and performance on clay and grass surprised her a bit and even reinforced her belief that she could always improve where she didn’t believe she could.
There will be many challenges ahead. The first being to stay in the top 100, for the privileges and opportunities that come with that status.
So far, she’s comfortable with it. And that’s where she wants to spend most of her time. “I’m happy with the way I’m playing. This year I had to get used to being back at a high level. I played difficult matches, against established players. But that comes with being in the top 100.”
When she returns to Montreal, she hopes to have the chance to address the crowd in French on center court. If so, that would also mean that she also shook the referee’s hand last a few times.