MAKING-OF – Monday morning, at the Palais de Tokyo, on the banks of the Seine. The day before began the first edition of Paris Squash, the first platinum internationals in France. A tournament that is close to the heart of Camille Serme (34 years old). The former world number 2, who retired just over a year ago, plays ambassadors of prestige and gives of her time as she awaits a happy event in October. For Le Figaro, she also agreed to talk with Lauren Baltayan who, at 16, is already a future prodigy in the discipline. Intimidated by the exercise, the teenager, who lives in Egypt, her country of birth, and plays in Créteil, the former club of Camille Serme, is already in 104th place in the world, after having been 98th. Just the start of a tremendous ascent? His eldest believes in it firmly.
What does “Paris Squash 2023” mean to you? Camille Serme: Finally a big tournament in Paris! For me, it marks the culmination of a dream. This one started when I was still a player because the project was launched two years ago when I only retired in June 2022. It was so important to me that this project materialize. I dreamed of seeing squash in front of the Eiffel Tower. So there, to see the matches unfold, it is the concretization of a long work and a fantastic human adventure. It’s very strong, very intense, but I’m so happy. Now, every day, we strive to improve because the goal is not to make a single edition.
Little frustration of not being able to take part in it racket in hand?C. S.: None (laughs). I really went to the other side and I really like to discover behind the scenes. It’s funny to have the two hats, namely that of ambassador but also of former player who understands the needs of those who take part in it. But I really appreciate being able to tackle all the other challenges that come out of the sporting sphere, in political and financial terms. It excites me.
Lauren, are you looking forward to being able to take part in it one day?Lauren Baltayan: Yes, playing here in Paris, in the country that I represent, with all the public that will be behind me, it’s exciting and it encourages me to train even more to continue my progress and earn the right to participate one day.
You two have known each other for a long time…L. B.: Yes, when I was 8, I had the chance to play with Camille.
C. S.: Yes, you were all “pitchoune” (smile). We’ve actually known each other for a while. I remember that the very first time was during a World Championship organized in Egypt. I heard “come on!” Go on !” coming from the stands. It was Lauren with her parents and her brother who had come to encourage me. Since then, we have always stayed in touch. Philippe (Signoret), my former trainer, immediately detected great qualities in her and when he knew that she was Franco-Egyptian, he immediately told me that we had to get our hands on her. .
L.B.: I remember before this World Championship, I used to watch you play on TV, and it was amazing to be able to meet you and talk to you. I believe that my parents will be able to confirm, after, I was on cloud nine for several days. Camille was really my role model. I loved his way of being on the court, his way of playing. And then when I spoke to her, she was so nice.
C.S.: You must have had some role models among Egyptian players too, right?
LB: No, not really.
C.S.: So you see me honored.
What determined your choice to play for France, and not for Egypt?L. B.: That suited me better. I feel closer to the French mentality.
How to explain that there are so many great squash champions in Egypt? C. S.: It’s true that there is an extraordinary breeding ground in this country. The first reason is simple: it seems to me that squash is the number 2 sport there, behind football. It’s very popular, it’s on TV regularly and the best players are considered stars there. As a result, parents see squash as a social lift and there are many licensees, which generates a virtuous circle with also many clubs and a lot of resources invested. By dint of seeing champions everywhere, it inspires the youngest and it ends up creating a very strong emulation.
Lauren, what is your dream today?L. B.: I have plenty. I want to win major competitions, to be world champion one day and I know that Camille was world number 2. If I can do better, that would be amazing.
C. S.: It has never been done in women for a French woman to become world number 1. I can only wish him success.
Do you regret that your sport is not part of the Olympic disciplines?L. B.: Yes. Squash is played in many countries, it is a very physically demanding sport, very spectacular. While at the Games, there are much less demanding sports…
C.S.: It was a disappointment for me too. I have seen squash apply for the Olympic program many times. Already in 2008, we had tried to be part of it. And during the last attempt, for Paris 2024, I represented the players with Victor Crouin (the current French number 1) and we were presented the project to the committee. We had only had good feedback, which meant that we really believed before the verdict came knocking us down. It had been hard to accept. Even though very quickly, I was like, ‘ok, they don’t want us, but we don’t need them to exist’. We are fortunate to be professionals, which is not the case for all participants in the Games. Some struggled much more than me financially. And then it’s also a bit why I invested so much energy in this project of a major tournament in Paris, to show them what they were missing by refusing us access to the Olympic program.
Looking back, can you figure out what’s blocking? C. S.: A few years ago, I would not have made the same speech but today, in my eyes, all this is very political and financial, and therefore has little to do with the sole interest sporty. I’m even a little disappointed to see the turn the Games are taking on certain values. Like ecology for example. Seeing that there are going to be Asian winter games in Saudi Arabia seems so absurd to me. These are values that I do not endorse. And to be very honest, at times I even say to myself: fortunately we are not in it. It may seem extreme from a point of view, especially since I know that it could open certain doors for my discipline, but I don’t like what the Games are becoming in a lot of aspects. But Lauren is young, she can have a different look than me.
L.B.: I confess that I would like to participate in them one day, even if I haven’t taken the time to really look at them yet. In 2021, in Tokyo, with the jet lag, it was not easy and for Rio, I was only 9 years old and I was a bit far from all that. But those of Paris, I will follow them with attention. Even if it’s crazy that squash is not part of it.
What would it take to change that? C. S.: Honestly, I don’t know anymore. For Paris, we had put so many things in place, we had really tried to adapt to certain criteria, we had proposed a new counting format… We filled in the boxes they asked for. So for me, the problem is that squash doesn’t have enough big sponsors bringing in enough funds, like Red Bull can do in skateboarding or breakdancing. Not to mention the fact that they were looking for very young disciplines… That’s why I have the feeling that it is utopian to believe that we will be able to get there soon, unless the boom in our discipline in the States United is a game changer. But I insist, I don’t think this is an end in itself.
On the financial aspect, at 16, Lauren, you already have an equipment manufacturer and sponsor, Technifibre…L. B.: Yes, as well as the US Créteil and the Federation who help me a little. But to have such an important brand supporting me and believing in me is obviously important for confidence.
Camille, do you find yourself a bit like Lauren when you were her age? C. S.: On a purely squash level, no, not necessarily, because we don’t necessarily have the same qualities. And then we don’t have the same training at all. Lauren lives in Egypt most of the time so she trains Egyptian style, if I can put it that way. Training the French way is very different. Otherwise, I was number 1 in Europe at her age, she is vice-champion of Europe I believe…
L.B.: No, third (smile).
C. S.: Today, suddenly, I follow her from a little further. It is above all Philippe who is very in touch with her and her parents. It’s more he who finds a relationship close to the one he had with me. Lauren is her new little foal (laughs). He often compares us. His speed on the court, his fighting spirit and his state of mind can take him very high.
It must make you weird Lauren to be compared to Camille…L. B.: Yes, she was a very great champion. I would like to follow in her footsteps because she was very important for French squash. Everyone talks about her, even today that her career is over. And I dream of succeeding like her.