Like we all know, specifically in France, this summer is a sporting one with the launching of Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The most important and sports event of the World, gathering on July 26th thousands of sportsmen and women, coaches, and supporters. So, we have thought, that communicate this sport spirit all along the summer, to the workers and holidaymakers will be such a pleasant idea.
Let’s start officially with this blog articles series : "Abyss Ingredients at the heart of sport" dedicated to sport practice of our athletes, but also our Abyss team… Stay tuned!
Portrait du jour : Elodie Bouvret
Elodie Bouvret is our R&D manager at Abyss. Beyond her rigour, her commitment and her attention to detail since more than 5 years, discover her from another side: sport and specifically tennis.
Elodie has almost practise tennis and never get tired of. After she tried football, it is her passion for tennis that came out on top. |  |
Today, she handles at once her R&D manager career and her passion for tennis.
We are very proud to present a little part of her sport through this interview.
What values does sport pass on to you?
« I'd say there's a collective notion, even if tennis can be considered as an individual sport. There is an idea of team spirit, sharing of a common passion, but also a form of respect for the opponent and the different partners you play with.
There are also real human values that are passed on, and the whole quest to surpass oneself through performance which has an importance. »
What role does sport play in your daily life and what do you gain from it?
« On a weekly basis, I try to exercise 3 times: I play 1.5 hours of tennis and do between 1 hour and 1.5 hours of weight training and running.
I do it to maintain good physical health, but also good mental health. It's a pleasure to be able to release all the tension I've built up on a day, especially with work. In a way, it allows me to get away from my daily routine and really get rid of the mental load.
And finally, I'd say that tennis gives me pleasure of tennis above all, pleasure of meeting up with people I don't see every day, of being able to talk to others… that helps to break the routine. »
In your opinion, how do you reconcile work, personal life and physical activity?
« It's not incompatible for me, but I think you have to set yourself small goals, whether on a weekly basis or in a different way. Setting time slots is important, because if you don't manage to do it, it's complicated to motivate yourself afterwards.
Another advantage of tennis is that lessons are scheduled on a particular day with precise timing, so you don't really have the choice, you just go.
Weight training requires sometimes a bit more willpower, for example. But I always manage to get there somehow, because it's part of my daily routine and I don't need any special planning.
Regarding running, it depends on how I’m feeling myself or if I look back on my week and find that I haven't done enough sport. »
How do you deal with procrastination in sport?
« For me, it's a question of will: if you want to, you do it.
Sometimes you procrastinate, but personally, if I procrastinate it's because of circumstances: I'm not in good shape, or I'm ill, for example.
I think that procrastinating all the time just isn't compatible with doing sport: it's not necessarily the activity that suits us best, that doesn't fit in with the way we function. »
Which athlete inspires you across all disciplines?
« There are plenty in tennis, but if I had to name someone, I'd probably say Roger Federer. Whether it's the way he brings his game to the court or the way he thinks, I find him truly inspiring.
In particular, he had some interesting things to say about his concept of the match: For him, a match isn't won by the number of points you score but by the point you score at the right moment.
In the end, it's not quantity that counts, but quality, and knowing when to score and win that point.
Otherwise, I think there are a lot of interesting sports, particularly sailing. I have the utmost respect for the courage of skippers to throw themselves into an adventure for such a long time, with all the uncertainty of the course. I think they really deserve it, because it's a discipline that requires a lot of questioning, technique and courage. »
How do you stay motivated after defeats? And how do you work on your weak points?
« Individual defeats are always interesting, the ‘why’ you didn't manage to put certain things in place at certain times, it allows you to question yourself and work on the faults you may have had.
It's essential to understand in order to move forward and perform better the next time.
Weak points can be worked on, but often it's easier to emphasise and reinforce your strong points. I think you'll get more results by perfecting your strengths, while trying to minimise your weaknesses. You must be able to integrate them into your game, but at the same time intensify and reinforce the power of your strengths.”
How do you develop your strategies for your different types of opponents?
« You have to be able to adapt.
A player can't be linear and play the same way all the time. It really comes down to phases, when the opponent is going to be a little less effective. You have to be able to catch those moments and get the better of them.
You can spot things in training too: certain shots, whether he's left- or right-handed, for example.
And then there's really the moment, as the match progresses, analysing strengths and weaknesses: strategies need to be flexible to your opponent's game. »
What's your favourite shot and why?
« I'm more of an attacking player and I like winning points, which means shortening rallies. That said, you don't just need winning points throughout the match. Firstly, because you need to find a form of consistency in your game. Secondly, because there are energy-consuming shots.
Another problem with winning points is that you can't always be sure of getting them right, so you're more likely to miss. »
What does a typical training look like?
We start with a 10-minute warm-up, where we hit balls freely. Then comes the session, which is often based around a particular shot.
Finally, we play single or double matches in the last 15 minutes of training.
What are the most important aspects of your physical and mental preparation?
As for physical preparation, I avoid training just beforehand. On Sundays when there's a match, I avoid going out to do sport the day before, because matches require an enormous amount of energy: in a tennis match, you always know when it's going to start but you never know when it's going to finish.
When it comes to mental preparation, you shouldn't set out with the objective of winning the match, you need to set yourself objectives that depend 100% on you, and winning a match doesn't just depend on you, it also depends on your opponent. You can set yourself goals like trying to be more consistent, or succeeding with a particular shot.
The other thing that's important for me is to enjoy the game, because if you don't, there's no point.
Merci Elodie pour ton témoignage !
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