Not surprisingly, Serme can’t wait to wage war in a battle of the sexes and ‘La Panthere’ is savouring the prospect of being uncaged.
“I think this is a great way to breathe life back into squash in France, but at the same time us girls know that the club guys will be very competitive, very determined to beat us and so we know we will have to be at our best,” said Serme.
“But at the same time we hope to have some of the top 10 French men playing, including, I hope, my brother Lucas [World No.40] and in that case there will be some matches it will be impossible to win.
“But you know the tour will also be about having some fun as well, meeting new people and just be a great way of creating a buzz around squash clubs in France.
“Philippe and I spoke about the idea of a mini tour and involving the clubs and I think this way the positives for both players in getting competitive match action and visiting clubs they maybe have not played at is massive.
“Also, for the players it is an opportunity to perhaps attract new sponsors and that is something that we would all value right now.”
With courts having been opened in France for almost a month, Serme admits that she is already well into a new training regime at her Creteil base and that before the eventual resumption of the PSA Tour, the Tournée Nationale Française will be the perfect way to combat the lack of match practice.
“We have two new fitness coaches at Creteil, and they have come up with some interesting, innovative and fresh routines and work outs that have been good, but nothing beats getting back on the match court,” Serme said.
“So while I have enjoyed being at home and not missed the travelling of the tour, I have certainly missed playing at the tournaments, missed meeting up with the other players and just missed playing matches and I know that I am not alone in this.
“So, it has been a great idea by Philippe and one that will definitely help fill the hole that has been caused by the PSA World Tour’s suspension.”
Should the PSA Tour continue to be suspended, provisional dates are already pencilled in for October and November in Bordeaux and Marseille.
