A (Busy) Day in the Life of Valérie Tétreault

Valérie Tétreault, former member of the WTA and former communications director at Tennis Canada, took the reins from the illustrious Eugène Lapierre. And as you possibly can think about, her skilled and private life modified drastically as her already busy schedule obtained much more complicated.

On July 13, Valérie gave her first press convention in her new function. It was a giant day: a significant media occasion held only a few weeks earlier than the balls get rolling on the 2023 Nationwide Financial institution Open (NBO).

On this system: planning, revising, internet hosting, talking, giving interview after interview after interview, operating to conferences, taking calls, sitting for extra interviews and dashing to extra conferences.

There was no higher day to tag alongside.

9:38 a.m.

After popping into her workplace at IGA Stadium, Valérie heads two blocks down the road to Fabrik8 the place the press convention is to be held. An-ever caring match director, she walks in with espresso for everybody. 

All of them sit down, and she or he brings them up to the mark. The press convention is about to begin in an hour and a half.   

Why wait 9 months earlier than her first press convention as match director?

“My appointment was introduced on October 6, and there was an extended handover with Eugène, who was so affected person and environment friendly. I’ve been by myself for some time now, however he’s all the time only a telephone name or e mail away if I would like something, and that’s very reassuring,” she explains.

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After only some days on the job, she joined a collection of day-long conferences to take inventory of the 2022 version of the NBO and put together for 2023. All of the whereas, she continued to supervise Tennis Canada’s communications till her successor got here onboard.

Over the following few months, she attended digital and in-person conferences in cities like Strasbourg and Monte Carlo and consolidated her ties and relationships with WTA and ATP brass. And let’s not neglect the weekly match committee conferences and media interviews, since she’s requested to remark all main tennis information, together with the NBO’s plan to supply equal prize cash at its two occasions by 2027, which was announced on June 22.

“At this stage, there’s stress, however much more so there’s pleasure, for certain. That stated, we even have to organize and plan for the following two years. First, 2024 is an Olympic yr, and our match is in the course of the second week of the Paris Video games. We have now permission from the ATP to begin the primary draw on Tuesday and play the ultimate on the next Monday, so gamers can cross the pond. And don’t neglect that they’ll should make a super-fast transition from the clay courts at Roland-Garros to the quick courts at IGA Stadium. And, after all, in 2025, we’ll be becoming a member of the opposite Masters 1000 occasions on a 12-day calendar. We’ll improve the present 15 classes to 25.”

10 a.m.

The staff critiques the ultimate technical and organizational particulars of the press occasion. Valérie is with Tennis Canada’s company communications supervisor Marc-Antoine Farly. Nobody desires a glitch or oversight to spoil this essential day.

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Together with her expertise as a tennis commentator on French-language TV and because the host of her predecessor’s press conferences, Valérie is aware of the ropes. A consummate skilled, she will get comfy within the house to keep away from the shock of strolling out to everybody watching her.

The press convention begins at 11:20.

11:05 a.m.

Fifteen minutes ‘til showtime. As members of the media and visitors discover their seats, Valérie stands to the facet as Marc-Antoine updates her on the last-minute adjustments.

Together with her eager consideration to element, she works with Tennis Canada’s official photographer Pascal Ratthé to make sure the federation’s companions and particular visitors get good visibility within the photographs.

11:15 a.m.

Moments earlier than she walks out, Valérie goes over her handwritten notes—the identical ritual she adopted as a WTA commentator.

11:20

It’s time, and Valérie listens for her identify to be introduced. She’s opened many press conferences in her profession, however this one’s totally different.

11:30 a.m.

She turns into an increasing number of relaxed as she addresses the group. She even sprinkles just a few jokes alongside the way in which, and the viewers chuckles. The brand new match director has already received them over.

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There’s audible laughter from the group when Valérie involves the subject of World No.1 Iga Swiatek. “Iga’s a phenomenon,” she says. “In 2022, from mid-February to early July, she competed in 35 matches and received all of them. Approach again when, I had an analogous document. I didn’t lose a single match between February and July. However that’s as a result of I didn’t play!”

11:50 a.m.

The press convention wraps up with official photographs of Valérie and the match’s main sponsors. Then there’s the same old scrum. The complete presser was recorded, however she nonetheless solutions questions as reporters, lenses and microphones swarm round her.

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A couple of minutes later, attendees hit the buffet desk as Valérie sits down for a collection of one-on-one interviews. It might appear considerably redundant, however journalists typically ask particular and unique questions so their piece stands out. It’s all a part of the deal.

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1:30 p.m.

After a fast chunk together with her staff, Valérie heads again to IGA Stadium to atone for emails and put together for her afternoon and early night conferences.

She returns just a few calls, together with one from the WTA to debate a program that’s set to launch quickly.

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All of the paths Valérie has taken as a participant, Tennis Canada’s head of communications and a TV commentator have completely ready her for this large step in her profession. She totally understands the realities of the gamers, media and match organizers. “I exploit the identical technique as I do on the courtroom: I all the time attempt to pinpoint my weaknesses to enhance and in addition construct and capitalize on my strengths,” she says. “However there’s little question that my change to comms was glorious coaching. Nonetheless, about 40% of the job is new. There’s the dynamic with the gamers and their brokers, to not point out the relationships with the WTA and ATP. Eugène had all the time been clear with me—and that’s considered one of his many qualities—however he couldn’t share all the pieces. So I’m studying at lightning velocity.”

5:00 p.m.

Valérie sits down with Julie Gravel for an replace on the advertising funds.

6:00 p.m.

As their assembly ends, one other extra essential one begins. It’s three weeks out, and the heads of all of the match committees are checking in.

Valérie’s comfy operating the assembly. She’s recognized the general public in attendance for years. She actually values them, and the sensation is mutual. 

“That side of the brand new job might be what touched me essentially the most after I was appointed: having the workers’ help,” she says with a real smile.

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“The present staff is a good combine of people that’ve been with us for a very long time and with whom I’ve had some great instances and of recent individuals who have been employed after the pandemic compelled us to chop workers. The brand new additions carry contemporary concepts and factors of view to the desk. I actually perceive why Eugène all the time stated how a lot it is a staff effort. I’m typically entrance and centre, however it’s all of the work put in by so many individuals that permits me to shine and sleep soundly!”

8:00 p.m.

And since Valérie broached the topic, how have all of the late nights on the workplace affected her private life? It’s solely pure that her new job would affect her household.

“I’d say that’s the toughest half,” she candidly admits. “Particularly on this first yr when I’ve to attempt to keep on monitor, forge ties and perceive all the pieces, I typically really feel as if I’ve to say sure to all the pieces. However it’s important to take a step again. An important factor is watching my daughter develop up. She’s isn’t three but. Once I went to Europe for just a few days, it was tough for each of us. That’s one thing I needed to be taught as a result of I’ve to handle my priorities successfully.”

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Luckily, she will be able to depend on her mother and father and in-laws to be there. “There’s an African proverb that claims ‘It takes a village to lift a toddler.’ That holds true in our household. We have now a lot help.”

And making issues simpler—or extra difficult relying on the state of affairs—Valérie’s spouse Julie additionally works at Tennis Canada. The upside is that the 2 have a shared ardour, however the disadvantage is that there’s little or no downtime. “If there are issues we didn’t resolve in the course of the day, we get to them at suppertime. So within the weeks main as much as the match and particularly in the course of the ten days of the occasion, we work even longer hours. Through the match, we’re typically on web site from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. for the whole week. Fortunately, our mother and father are round, and that’s very reassuring. And we stay very close to the stadium, so we will sneak off to see our daughter a number of instances in the course of the day.”

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It is all in a day’s work for Valérie.

Simply think about a yr!

Profession, work, stress, ardour, development, social and household life, free time—she juggles all of them.

We want her each success.

And a improbable match!