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closeThe answer was an immediate, emphatic yes for Carolina Blouin. At 38, Blouin was hoping for another chance to compete on the international tennis stage, another reason to show people at the Raleigh Racquet Club on Falls of Neuse Road that she still loves the game.
In November, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) told Blouin she had made the U.S. 35-45 women’s team for the International Tennis Federation Senior World Cup, one of the most prestigious events in the senior tour.
“This is what I love,” said Blouin, who is also expected to compete in the women’s individual tournament. “I take this as a gift.”
She, along with three teammates, will play in the first round of the tournament Monday in San Diego.
Last year, Blouin participated in her first World Cup in Timaru, New Zealand. In that competition, she helped the U.S. team reach the semifinals before falling to Spain.
There was also major news in New Zealand during the event.
The World Cup’s individual tourney was canceled due to one of the largest earthquakes in the country’s history. The quake’s 6.3 magnitude hit near downtown Christchurch, the country’s second largest city – enough for the government to declared a national state of emergency.
When Blouin returned home, she figured that would her first, and only, World Cup.
“I think as time went on she wanted to compete again,” said Marc Blouin, Carolina’s husband and general manager of the racquet club. “She gets another shot because things were cut short because of the earthquake.”
For the past two weeks, Blouin was at the racquet club almost every day. She swam, did yoga and ran to build strength.
On Tuesday, she had Jackie Ussery, 23, test her two-handed backhand stroke.
Ussery, who played for N.C. State’s club tennis team for three years, is still impressed with how well Blouin can play.
Ussery says she looks up to Blouin because few women could play at a high level while having a family and teaching others.
“She taught me to just to go after every shot and believe in yourself because she still does,” Ussery said. “Her hard work and enthusiasm for the game is a good example for future women players.”
Blouin, a Brazilian who became a citizen in 2000, works a few days at the racquet club teaching the sport to children.
She is less anxious about the event this year.
But Blouin realizes the competition will be higher given more teams an individual players can make the trip to San Diego rather than New Zealand.
“I’m more nervous about helping the team,” Blouin said. “I think we feel responsible because the USTA is sponsoring our trip. I think it’s more pressure performing as group rather than an individual.”
Blouin will be joined by teammates Trish Riddle, Patricia Zerdan and Kelly Wilson. Blouin played with Riddle and Zerdan last year. With the addition of Wilson, the No. 1 player in the age group, the team is expected to contend for the title.
“They are very good players,” Blouin said. “I think we can do well, and it’s a pleasure to have Kelly with us. Noting really prepares you for the intensity of the tournament once you get there.”
