Océane Babel's first snowshoe hits were virtual.
At 5, the little one discovers the yellow ball through the Wii.
For hours, she alternates forehand and backhand with her white controller, in front of the TV of the family house, avenue de la Division-Leclerc, in Sarcelles (Val-d'Oise).
“She seemed to like a lot,” says her mother, Fabienne.
So we signed her up for the city club.
"
His first steps on the courts of TC Sarcellois were difficult.
“At first, it wasn't great… confides the 16-year-old.
Afterwards, I got into it thoroughly.
And I was spotted by the Val-d'Oise league, at 6 years old.
»The beginning of a success story, symbol of a triumphant suburban youth.
Ten years later, here she is on the courts of Roland-Garros.
His goal: to start a professional career
80th in the world in her category, Océane faces Russian Julia Avdeeva this Wednesday in the round of 16 of the junior tournament.
" I do not know her.
She is roughly classified like me.
But, if it is there, it is because it must have a good level!
»Judge the young girl.
In the second round, she swept, in three sets, the Latvian Kamilia Bartone, seeded number 6.
On Parisian clay, in the shade of the big courts, Océane hopes to “go as far as possible in the competition”.
With one goal in mind, continue to climb the world rankings and prepare to start a professional career.
“This is my goal, but it hasn't been done yet!
Everything will depend on my progress in the months to come ”, tempers Océane, double champion of France, at 13 and 14 years old.
She will pass her baccalaureate at the end of the year
The resident of the national training center (CNE), based at Roland-Garros, since September 2018, has already rubbed shoulders with the world of adults.
In recent weeks, Océane, fan of Serena Williams, has chained tournaments among the greats, lining up a quarter and a semi-final.
“In the game, it doesn't really change.
Among the pros, the girls are stronger mentally, the juniors give up more easily, she analyzes.
We must pass the course!
"
This would crown a smooth journey of a precocious and "brilliant" young girl, in the words of her mother.
“She succeeds in everything she does.
If she had not succeeded in tennis, she could have continued the piano, where she was also very talented, says Fabienne.
And then, she is a very good student too!
»Océane, who skipped a class, will take her baccalaureate at the end of the year.
His 10-year-old brother follows his example
Between her trips to play all over the world, her three daily training sessions and the pressure of the result, the teenager tries, she says, to keep in touch with "the outside world".
Cut off from teenage life, she sees her “college girlfriends” when she returns on weekends to Sarcelles.
“It does me good to talk about something other than tennis,” says Océane.
Afterwards, I realize that they don't live the same life as me… ”
On the other hand, the player is not yet aware of being a model of success for the young people of the town, and more generally of the suburbs.
"If I can give them motivation, so that they give their all…" confides Océane.
In any case, she has already inspired her brother.
At barely 10 years old, the "good level" kid, according to his sister, is already one of the best French people ...
