Tennis: the American dream of Luzienne Carla Urchoeguia

Far from American splendor, Carla Urchoeguia rediscovers the ocher of Luzian clay. The first steps are difficult, but the pleasure of returning to the Chantaco grounds can be seen on his face. Three years after leaving for the United States, Carla takes advantage of the holidays to return home, where it all began. And at the same time defend the colors of your club in team matches.

And the courts of the Luzien Tennis Club, she knows them by heart. She gave her first racket shots there at the age of four. “We saw very…

Far from American splendor, Carla Urchoeguia rediscovers the ocher of Luzian clay. The first steps are difficult, but the pleasure of returning to the Chantaco grounds can be seen on his face. Three years after leaving for the United States, Carla takes advantage of the holidays to return home, where it all began. And at the same time defend the colors of your club in team matches.

And the courts of the Luzien Tennis Club, she knows them by heart. She gave her first racket shots there at the age of four. “We saw very quickly that she hit the ball very well,” remembers Camille Maisonnave, her first coach. The promises and the talent are confirmed. Carla is spotted by the Aquitaine League. She won the French team league championships and took part in the Petits As, a tournament bringing together young hopefuls of world tennis aged twelve to fourteen. To the point of devoting himself completely to his sport and considering a professional career. “I was at CNED (home studies) in third grade, that’s all I did, with training every day. But I realized that it didn’t suit me,” judges the young 21-year-old tennis player. To regain your balance, return to high school, to Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin. The pleasure of playing returns.

Everything is bigger

“I was reaching my final year, and I wanted to continue at a good level without really becoming a professional. I felt like I still had things to accomplish in tennis. The United States was ideal,” recalls Carla. Because American universities allow you to combine studies and high-level sport. And the latter are recruiting in France. Carla goes through an agent, receives offers from universities. “We make our choice based on the studies we want to do, the living environment, the level of tennis at the university, and the scholarship we are offered. » Once you have your scientific baccalaureate, head to the University of Louisiana in La Fayette. The start of a new life far from the Basque Country. “We can only support her, she made her choice on her own, with a certain maturity. Even if the path is not easy, she knows who she is and where she comes from,” says Camille Maisonnave.

August 2021, Carla sets down her bags in Louisiana, and the shock is immense. New language, new culture, and new setting. “Everything is excessive. The city, the shops, even the food. We don't buy a carton of milk, but a can, laughs Luzienne, and then the language is difficult. I had a good level of English, I could hold a conversation. But by the end of the day, my head was ready to explode. » In this new life, Carla begins her studies as an architect, before reorienting herself towards mathematics. Above all, she discovered the functioning of American university sport, without equivalent in France.

Like the pros

In the United States, Carla is a top athlete. At his university, the supervision is worthy of the professional world. With a significant workload. In peak season, the tennis player spends up to twenty hours training per week. Plus up to six competitive matches in the top American university division. “There are times when you sleep very little, between tennis and exams. But the coaches manage it so that you don’t get injured,” she reassures.

The supervision is also up to standard. Physiotherapist, mental and physical trainer, nutritionist. “It was weird at first, because all these people work for you, to keep you in shape, I realize that if I had tried to be professional in France, I wouldn't have had all that” , rejoices Carla. An opportunity at the sporting level, but also academically. Thanks to his level, the university grants him a scholarship worth 100% of his tuition fees, pays him a salary, and covers the very expensive equipment linked to his sport.

The young woman benefits from weight rooms, a cafeteria, and very good tennis infrastructures. And all this on a gigantic campus, where several sports coexist. Carla, however, left this framework in May. Direction California and the University of San Jose. “I wanted to play at a little more competitive level for my senior year. But the choice is above all for my professional future. I'm getting closer to Silicon Valley, and for internship opportunities, it's better. » No return planned to the Basque Country for the moment. Even if the pleasure of finding one's loved ones always remains intact: “Every time I come back, it's as if I had never left, I resume my life where I left it. »

The TC Luzien women's team is playing its way up

The club's first team, which includes Carla Urchoeguia, will host this Sunday, June 2 in Chantaco from 9 a.m., the girls of Balma, for the last day of National 3. In the event of a draw or victory, they would validate their return to the higher division, a year after their relegation. Very good results which reward the Luzian training.