Top French tennis coach faces sex abuse claims

Top French tennis coach faces sex abuse claims

Alex Duval Smith in Paris
Sunday March 18, 2007
The Observer

In the world of women's tennis, French coach Regis de Camaret is known for being unconventional. 'He would lie on his stomach behind the baseline and take pictures,' one former pupil told police. 'He told us he was checking our footwork.'

Amid allegations of sex abuse and rape, the man famed for a 20-year career coaching some of the most famous names in French tennis - including Wimbledon finalist Nathalie Tauziat and Spanish star Arantxa Sanchez Vicario - is now in custody awaiting trial. At least 10 former players have come forward and the inquiry is set to be broadened to Britain which sent several female tennis hopefuls to De Camaret's private tennis academy in the south of France in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Tauziat's doubles partner, Isabelle Demongeot, 41, claims De Camaret began abusing her when she was 14. 'To save money on the junior circuit, we used to share hotel rooms and that's when the worst of it happened,' said Demongeot, herself a former coach for French number one Amelie Mauresmo.

Once 35th in the world rankings and French champion in 1989, Demongeot has spearheaded efforts to bring De Camaret to court. She trained at his Saint Tropez academy from the ages of 12 to 23. 'For years I endured a form of manipulation that I could not combat. I had a child's body and he was an adult. I thought I couldn't succeed without him.'

Demongeot was 'haunted' by her experience and after meeting other De Camaret pupils who told her similar stories, she went to the police in 2005. 'It became possible to talk about it once I realised I was not alone,' she said.

But her evidence will not be heard at the trial, expected next year, as French law prevents paedophilia crimes committed before 2004 from being brought to court more than 10 years after a victim reaches the age of 18. Prosecutors will instead present evidence from two victims, who were allegedly abused, and one says she was raped, between 1989 and 1991.

One is 'Marie' who describes being assaulted in De Camaret's car, on the way home from a tournament. 'I closed my eyes, hoping that it would pass quickly.' 'Marie' said her former coach took advantage of bad weather to abuse her. 'I found myself trying to make excuses. Or arranging to always be accompanied by another girl.'

De Camaret, who is 65, has long been considered a maverick by the French Tennis Federation, which he accuses of being 'packed with pen-pushers'.

His lawyer Emmanuel Daoud will this week apply for De Camaret to be released from custody pending trial. 'He has been remanded on the basis that he could put pressure on witnesses and that there is a threat to public order. The man is 65 and we are talking about crimes which allegedly happened 20 years ago.

'He strenuously denies the allegations. French tennis is a world of jealousy and bitterness. He is a controversial figure. Mme Demongeot would have liked a better career. I am not the judge but that cocktail of factors should not be ruled out in this case,' he said.