First of all, how are you?

I feel much better. It’s been three weeks since I was finally able to get back to snowshoeing to train. For the moment, I have no more pain. It’s a huge release.

Your last match on the circuit dates back to May 17 and a defeat in the first round of Roland-Garros qualifying, in three sets against the Taiwanese Tseng Chun-hsin.

I had already had to leave the circuit between November and March because of this pubalgia. And she came back a few days with my entry into the running at Roland-Garros. I had contested this first round of qualifying under anti-inflammatories. Then, I decided not to hold back immediately on the circuit. It was better to treat this injury to be able to return to competition at 100%. As a result, it became morally burdensome not to be able to count on a physique that left me alone. Suddenly, I chained various medical tests which led me to three complete weeks of rehabilitation in Clairefontaine. Then I went part-time with sessions at Clairefontaine in the morning and tennis training at the CNE (National Training Center, editor’s note). I can train hard. But, inevitably, with all these months off, it’s hard to find the rhythm.

Morally, it’s not too difficult to have been on forced rest while the other players continue to evolve on the circuit?

Unfortunately, I have already had several injuries in my career, such as fractures or tears. Pubalgia, on the other hand, I had never had. So I don’t focus too much on the other players on the circuit. The priority is that I can find all my physical means. I have already lost a lot of time away from tournaments. Hope everything is in order. I stay positive. It’s important to keep the right course in mind.

Next month, you must in principle make your return to the circuit. What is your program ?

For this return, I opted for tournaments that are played on hard courts because clay is not the best option given my injury. So, I have to resume competition the week of August 8, on the ITF circuit, in Monastir, Tunisia. After that, I plan three weeks in Bangkok, this time to compete in the Challengers.

Finally, a word about your new coach.

Indeed, I no longer work with Boris Vallejo who was placed with another player. I am now supervised by Stéphane Huet (former 96th in the world in 2000, editor’s note). With hindsight, it’s finally a good thing to have a new coach. I needed change to keep moving forward.