- Ons Jabeur, Matteo Berrettini and Harriet Dart led a mental health campaign in Paris
- Asics athletes braved the weather for their first-ever Rally for the Mind pop-up
Ons Jabeur cannot suppress his laughter as he walks out onto the field, takes the baton from Matteo Berrettini, and the rain clouds that plagued the Italian disappeared in place of the sun.
‘I’m a Tunisian man!’ Jabeur scoffs.
The two former Wimbledon finalists are part of a packed cast of tennis superstars brought together by Asics on their purpose-built court at the Place de la République.
Along with British number two Harriet Dart, Croatian Borna Coric and Australian star Alex De Miñaur, among others, the pair have postponed their Grand Slam preparations for Asics’ first-ever ‘Rally for the Mind’ event.
Mental health is a pertinent issue both in tennis and in society in general; The conversations are now much more open and the impulses to generate change are taking center stage.
Ons Jabeur (left, center) and Matteo Berrettini (left, right) helped launch a new pop-up court aimed at improving mental health in central Paris as part of a collaboration with Asics.
Australian star and Katie Boulter’s boyfriend Alex De Miñaur (left) was also on hand to play.
In France, one in four people struggle with mental health problems and, armed with the knowledge, via a YouGov study, that 88 percent of Parisians believe in the positive impact of physical exercise on their mental health , some of the biggest tennis stars challenged the The rain will play a role days before the second Slam of the year.
“Sport helps to have a healthy mind and, without a doubt, we want the younger generations to feel happy and dream big,” said Jabeur.
“I hope one day I can help them realize that and I hope with Asics we can do something like this for sure.”
“I think sport is very, very important (for mental health),” he continued, after a brief meeting session with some enthusiastic locals.
‘People think we have a lot of pressure playing this sport, but for me it is my happy place. I always say that the tennis court is my happy place, where I go to feel free and show that I can do whatever I want.
‘I encourage everyone to definitely do more sport. It is scientifically proven to be fantastic for the mind and I would recommend it. It gives you a better character, a better personality and makes you a better person.’
Jabeur’s origin story with the sport had more to do with her mother being eager to tire her out before bed.
‘I wasn’t very nice when I was a child, I was causing a lot of trouble!
“I was swimming and playing tennis at the time and my mother’s goal was for me to go to sleep at night and put all my energy on the court.
“Honestly, I was a happy kid because I played sports, so I wish that to everyone.”
Jabeur and British No 2 Harriet Dart (right) enjoyed some rallies with local young players.
At the Rally for the Mind event, local officials also took the opportunity to hold an impromptu demonstration.
The court, which will travel through Paris as part of a partnership with city officials, draws a large crowd as word spreads about stars on the way.
There is some wincing as the rain makes it a bit dangerous for the players in action just a few days later, but the reappearance of the sun in time for the arrival of Jabeur, De Minaur and Dart comes as a welcome relief to the organisers.
“In this year of sport in Paris, we are delighted to bring to life the next phase of our partnership with Asics, giving Parisians the opportunity to feel the positive mental benefits of tennis,” said Pierre Rabadan, Deputy Mayor of Paris. charge of sports, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine River.
After a few maintenance and selfies, Jabeur left, ready to prepare for her match on Monday, but the message was clear: whether you’re the world No. 9 or a local player, there are few better places to let off some steam. than on the court.
Ons Jabeur spoke in asics‘Rally of the Mind event in central Paris