Omnium National Bank | Valérie Tétreault’s “dream job”

We are July 11. On this Friday afternoon, most Quebecers are wrestling with joy on arrival of the weekend. Others are preparing to sink it sweet on vacation. For Valérie Tétreault, work begins.

When Tétreault received The press In the Tennis Canada headquarters on the second floor of the IGA stadium, Eugenie Bouchard had not yet announced that Omnium National Bank (OBN) would be his last career tournament. The first global racket, Aryna Sabalenka, had not yet forfeited. Nevertheless, the tournament director already had her arms.

Tétreault will live the OBN for the third time as director of the event. In addition, this year, the tournament will last twelve days instead of seven. And Montreal will welcome 96 players, instead of 56.

Tétreault and his team have been preparing one of the most important tournaments of the year for the WTA circuit for months. On the director’s desk, files are open, sheets are scattered and computer screens are on. It feels like a university professor’s office. Tétreault, however, does not make science or mathematics. She does her best. At this time of year, after months of preparation, it is soon the time for the exam.

“I am on calls from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., because we are finalizing scenarios for the tournament. The WTA is starting to ask questions. You have to organize ceremonies, see if you have everything, do the communication plans. We are a lot in the operation. »»

This tournament, Tétreault carries him in his heart. It’s more than his work. It is a part of whom she is. “I haven’t missed an edition since I was 8 years old. In different roles, but now I want to help create new memories for other 8 -year -olds who will come to the tournament this year and for whom it will continue to be part of their summer. »»

This is why last year, after the many showers slowed down the activities, Tétreault was one of those who wiped the field with towels to try to dry up the playing surface. Even if this tournament is part of the WTA 1000 series, “we will never be a big team enough so that I no longer get involved,” says the one who always wears her jacket with the locks.

“With my communications experience, one of the key roles I have during the tournament is to make sure everyone has what they need to do their job well. In such a large event, it is an ultra-important part and which will have an impact on everyone’s experience. »»

Over time, Tétreault learned to savor the event for which she works for more than 300 days a year. As Director, she is requested from all sides. As a tennis and former professional player, she wants to offer the best possible experience to supporters and athletes.

“With the WTA, the bulk of my work concerns a lot of tournament schedules day by day. Every day, when it is not raining, I will probably have two games for the schedule of matches with [la WTA] and the televisionrs. And when it rains, these meetings are multiplying. There are the interviews with the media, small speeches in each event… ”

New formula

Tétreault, like his team, will have to adapt as they go. With the new elongated format, they will have to build the plane a little in full flight. And repair it along the way if an unexpected occurs.

The Tétreault team has been preparing for three years for this improved version of the tournament for three years. According to her, “in 20 years, it will be said that, in the history of our tournament, the year 2025 was an important year, because it is the beginning of a new era”.

This new era, therefore, begins with “a little more unknown”. Especially since the organization benefits from a day of less preparation, since the qualifications are fired on Saturday and last only one day. The next day, the first round begins.

“Usually on Friday, when the site is opened for training, these are a bit of our days of practices, this is our running -in. Usually we have two days of qualifiers and a day of training. So everyone sees him coming and anticipates him. It changes the cadence. And we are a week earlier than usual in the calendar and it looks like you can feel it. »»

Without embarrassment, Tétreault admits that “the stress level is quite high”. Impossible, therefore, to go home with a empty head and the soul in peace. “It’s part of my daily challenges, especially with young children. »»

The feverishness

At the time of our passage, the stadium employees were busy preparing the surface. A decisive step, according to Tétreault. “If there is something in which you can’t be mistaken, it’s the surface. These are sensitive things. Last year, we had to redo the land a few times. There were lots of bubbles coming out. There will always be unforeseen events. »»

This little stress, this performance anxiety and this eternal quest for perfection give Tétreault the sensations she believed to have lost when hanging her racket in 2010.

“I feel like I am at my best when you are a bit in an emergency. When I retired as a player, I felt like I had to mourn a certain level of adrenaline that I was not going to be able to relive in other facets of my life. And what is closest to that is what I do during the tournament. »»

Tétreault would never have thought he was directing the tournament that gave him a passion for tennis. As a child, she dreamed of great chelems and international titles. Today, she dreams of being able to transmit her passion to the most people as possible.

“It’s a dream job that I never dreamed of. It took me time to get it and it’s a different way of living my passion for tennis. My athlete’s past means that I was so focused on performance, but there, every year, my goal is that we improve the experience of people on the spot. »»

Whenever a Canadian player evolves on the central court, Tétreault accompanies him in the tunnel leading to the field. “There is nothing that makes me more happy. Feel how electric the atmosphere is. And every time, I tell myself that that’s why we do what we do. »»