In Yaoundé, as part of the physical challenge organized around Paul Atanga Nji and his attempt to enter the Guinness World Records, Schena Benamar had a totally extraordinary experience.

Between tennis in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, aqua tennis, unusual exhibitions and reunions with former players on the circuit, the French player spoke at length about her career, her injuries, her gradual return to competition and her undiminished love of tennis.

And obviously, we talked a little about padel since Schana plays for the club that will host the second edition of the FIP Promises Paris by WME: the Lesigny club.

"I'd never seen anything like it."

 Question:  Had you ever participated in such unusual events in tennis before?

 Schena Benamar:  Never. Honestly, never.

Apart from the occasional few drops of rain falling during a match, but what we experienced today, no, never.

And then there was also that record attempt on Tuesday with Paul Atanga Nji. It was really impressive. It was extremely hot. At first, I thought to myself, "He'll never hold it."

And in the end, he held on. And held on very well. He almost never slowed down.

Frankly, physically, it was impressive.

We experienced something truly unique, even more so today with the aqua tennis. The atmosphere was fantastic, everyone invited was incredibly friendly. Honestly, it was a wonderful experience.

Schena Benamar: "Today, we need to find weapons other than power."
Schena Benamar: "Today, we need to find weapons other than power."

A career built thanks to her sister

The interview then shifted to the French player's personal journey.

 Question:  How did tennis come into your life?

 Schena Benamar:  It's really a family story. My brother and sister played tennis. I spent all my holidays with them at tournaments.

At one point, I got tired of sitting and watching. I found a racket, a ball, went and hit it against a wall… and I loved it.

I've never put down a racket since.

My sister meant a great deal to me. I wanted to be like her. She was my older sister, I wanted to be like her.

"The injuries disrupted my momentum."

Former French number one player, Schena Benamar then looked back on the most complicated period of her career.

 Question:  You were around 53rd place in France before a serious injury…

 Schena Benamar:  Yes. Initially, it wasn't even my wrist. I started with another injury and afterwards, mentally, it was a very difficult period.

When the brain isn't functioning properly, the body isn't functioning properly either.

And then I injured my wrist on a backhand.

For a year, we tried to avoid the operation. We tried different treatments, a kind of splint, several solutions… but it didn’t work.

So I waited another six months before finally having the surgery.

Today, the operation went well. I can hit backhands normally again and, most importantly, play without pain.

Schena Benamar: "Today, we need to find weapons other than power."

"It was just a pleasure to play a real match again."

During his stay in Cameroon, Schena Benamar rediscovered the feeling of competition.

 Schena Benamar:  What pleased me was playing against someone who plays really well and who doesn't take it easy just because I'm coming back from injury.

For me, it's a form of respect.

If he had played gently, I would have thought he was looking down on me. But he played seriously, very well even, and I was just happy to be able to play points again in a real match format.

Even though it wasn't an official competition, it felt like a real match.

"Today, we need to find other weapons."

 Question:  Does power play too big a role in modern tennis?

 Schena Benamar:  Yes and no. Today, we must above all find other weapons to counter this power.

I really like to vary the game: drop shots, changes of pace… Among the girls, there aren’t many who break the rhythm as much.

After that, I also like to hit hard, but sometimes, to win, you have to know how to vary your approach.

Schena Benamar: "Today, we need to find weapons other than power."

"I just want to play freely again."

After many months of rehabilitation, the Frenchwoman is gradually rediscovering the simple pleasure of the game.

 Schena Benamar:  It's only been a month since I resumed training.

Before coming here, I had only done two real training sessions with points. So in the end, this match here was practically my third real training session.

But today, the most important thing is simply to be able to play freely again, without pain.

In the end, this injury also did me good mentally.

It allowed me to reflect, to discuss with myself, to take a step back.

And now I want to see what I can still do, especially on the international ITF circuit.

"I like challenges."

 Question:  You still seem as passionate about tennis as ever…

 Schena Benamar:  Yes, absolutely. I love challenges. I need to be challenged.

And now, I tell myself that there's nothing to lose. I don't want this injury to hold me back.

I have never been able to play at my true level in international tournaments.

So today, that's also a goal: to succeed in playing like I play in France, to be more mentally free.

His sister is always present in his life

The player also spoke about her relationship with her sister, who is also a former competitor.

 Schena Benamar:  She too went through difficult times. At one point, she was really fed up with tennis.

She is left-handed with a one-handed backhand. I am right-handed with a two-handed backhand.

We really have completely different styles.

But deep down, she still loves competition. Yesterday, it was a pleasure to see her play again. For me, being on the field is truly her element.

"I never wanted to copy anyone."

 Question:  Haven't you ever wanted to have some of the weapons from your sister's game?

 Schena Benamar:  No. I love his game, but my game suits me.

When I was little, the one-handed backhand made me dream, but I never wanted to copy anyone.

Heading towards Poitiers

The rest of the program is already set.

 Schena Benamar:  Next stop: Poitiers.

I will be playing in the French National 2 Championships with my sister on the same team for the Lesigny club.

We probably won't play doubles together, but it'll be fun.

I enjoy playing padel on weekends with friends, but for now, I am still totally focused on tennis.

Although it's true that a left-handed person and a right-handed person together could be funny.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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