It was with these words that Joachim Gérard began his press conference.
Joachim Gérard, why such a decision?
There is a lot of thought behind this choice and the most beautiful things come to an end. Many things can explain my decision, such as personal projects and the desire to spend more time with my family. I've been a dad for two years now and having to leave your family to go to a tournament is never easy. Going away for twenty to twenty-five weeks a year and leaving my partner alone at home weighed in the balance. And then, stopping playing tennis will perhaps be an opportunity to move on to other sports. By announcing it now, I have time to turn around and see what I want. I could even change everything and find myself behind a desk. This is why I will play again after Paris, during a last sabbatical year. Additionally, a Paralympic year is always very busy and doesn't leave me much time outside to think, turn around and figure out how to replace my current job.
Now that your decision has been made and announced, you can focus on the Paralympic Games, your priority this year.
That's my big goal. I play a sport with four or three big competitions and when there are the Games, the objective is to perform and bring home the best metal. In addition, they are taking place this year in Paris and it will be a good way to share them with spectators and my family. In Tokyo, there were no spectators and that will change completely. For me, the games represent sharing with spectators but also other athletes and a mix of cultures. It was frustrating in Tokyo and finding myself now in Paris will give me even more strength.
Joachim Gérard will end his career at the end of 2025: “The Paris Olympics will be my last”
In Paris, you will be at your fifth Paralympic Games. What do they mean to you?
Participating in the Games is every athlete’s dream. I participated in my first Games in 2008 in Beijing, there was a bronze medal in Rio in 2016 which was incredible and participating in the Games is always special.
We're not there yet, but if you were to look behind you today, how would you view your career?
Lots of pride with good times and bad times, ups and downs, but I have no regrets. My career is not over but I am very proud of what I have been able to accomplish so far. I will also have learned a lot by traveling to the five continents with incredible encounters and the discovery of different cultures. Tennis has given me a lot.
Time for the season on earth
Present at the press conference, Damien Martinquet, Joachim Gérard's coach for five years, understands his player's decision: “It is a carefully considered decision that belongs to him, a subject which has come up several times, and we will support him, with the staff, until the end. His job is very restrictive and it was the time to announce that he wanted to turn the page.”
In the meantime, there is still work to be done with his player, currently sixth in the world rankings. “We returned from Asia, the hard court season has just ended with a positive result. I find that there is more stability with good matches and good results. He made a Grand Slam semi-final in Australia, a final in Rotterdam and very few poor performances.”
Now for the clay court season. “We are preparing Roland-Garros, a Grand Slam which will take place on the same site as the Games and we will have to do our best to get something there. He has already made a final at Roland and we know that he has the ability to go far, even if there are people behind.”
“Winning setback”
Published by Chronica Editions, “Revers Gagnant” is the first book by Joachim Gérard, written in collaboration with Emmanuel Debiève with a preface by Jean-Michel Saive. From Limelette to Paris via the Games in Beijing, London, Rio and Tokyo, Joachim Gérard looks back on his Olympic journey and speaks in a very open way. This biography, rich in emotion, is a vibrant testimony of perseverance and sporting excellence. This book is presented as a lesson in courage and a source of inspiration for all people, with or without disabilities. “It’s about sharing experiences with the Games as a common thread”specifies Joachim Gérard.
The book is available in bookstores or online at Chronica-shop.be where it can be ordered, exclusively, with a tennis ball limited to 150 copies in the colors of Joachim Gérard and “Revers Gagnant”.
