HISTORY
Discover the history of TIM Essonne over the years
1983
Created in 1983, at the request of Jean-Paul LOTH (National Technical Director) and the President of the Essonne League, Albert GUILBERT, the International Minimes Tournament of Sainte Geneviève des Bois (TIM) is one of the major tournaments international events reserved for young people under 14 years of age.
Classified in Series 1 of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour, since its origin, the tournament responds to the need to confront and benchmark the best Essonniens and French players against the best Europeans.
BEGINNINGS
Called in turn TIM, then TIM 91 and TIM ESSONNE, it is in the European calendar, the first big meeting of the season.
Every year, its success grows.
From 5 nations in 1983 to 35 nations in 2005, nearly 50 countries participated in this event.
From the family organization of the beginning, with unsuitable premises but with conviviality, our team has become professional and structured, to give this event all the scale it deserves.
LOGISTICS
In 1983 and 1984, foreign teams were housed with host families and French players in hotels.
Since 1986, after a year of interruption, the TIM has welcomed a larger number of foreign delegations and since then, it is the French players who reside with host families, moreover always more numerous to welcome them.
Meals for players and volunteers were previously served under the stands of the football stadium located near the league, then under the tent set up in the League car park and now, catering is done in the CET premises, using a mobile kitchen.
More than 2,500 meals are served during this fortnight with an evening service for foreign delegations.
10 YEARS
FROM TIM
In 1991 and 1992, Yannick NOAH honored the TIM with his presence by signing autographs for the public and young players, as part of a stand dedicated to the Association "Les Enfants de la Terre" created by his mother Marie-Claire NOAH.
For the 10th anniversary of the TIM, in 1993, Marie-Claire NOAH and Arnaud BOETSCH – the first French player to win the TIM in 1983 during its first edition – honored us with their presence. Arnaud BOETSCH returned with pleasure to the courts of the Essonne League to offer us, in the company of Gérard SOLVES, a very beautiful demonstration of tennis.
Another year, a tennis player and comedian came to entertain us with his BIJOU SHOW.
2003
In 2003, for the 20th anniversary, a video projection on a giant inflatable screen retraced the history of TIM ESSONNE with all the winners and all the volunteers who marked the history of this tournament.
2005
In 2005, Richard GASQUET, Patron of the Essonne Tennis League and TIM ESSONNE, came to visit us to the great joy of the participants and volunteers.
Over the last ten years or so, everything has accelerated, firstly with the arrival of IT in the management of the tables but also with the management of a larger vehicle fleet set up for the transport of players and captains.
However, our management of the event remained humane.
EVOLUTION
The friendly competition of the origin has today become a professional competition with important stakes. The arbitration of the games plays a preponderant role in the success of the tournament.
CHAMPIONS
Many tennis stars have played at TIM ESSONNE, including:
Amélie MAURESMO 🇫🇷
Justine HENIN-HARDENNE 🇧🇪
Martina HINGIS 🇨🇭
Kim CLIJSTERS 🇧🇪
Elena DEMENTIEVA 🇷🇺
Iva MAJOLI 🇭🇷
Aranxta SANCHEZ VICARIO 🇪🇸
Nathalie DECHY 🇫🇷
CHAMPIONS
Many tennis stars have played at TIM ESSONNE, including:
Arnaud BOETSCH 🇫🇷
Paul-Henry MATTHIEU 🇫🇷
Tommy ROBREDO 🇪🇸
Rafael NADAL 🇪🇸
Roger FEDERER 🇨🇭
Mario ANCIC 🇭🇷
Guillaume RAOUX 🇫🇷
Richard GASQUET 🇫🇷
Sébastien GROSJEAN 🇫🇷
Arthur FILS 🇫🇷
ESSONIANS
As well as some Essonne residents:
Anne CHAUZU
Olivia GRAVEREAUX
Laetitia RENAULT
Amandine DINCAU-SANDEI
Richard MUNOZ.
PARTNERS
They have always supported us
The French Tennis Federation
The General Council of Essonne
The Departmental Directorate of Youth and Sports
The town of Sainte Geneviève des Bois
VOLUNTEERS
Still faithful to the post:
Welcome
Administrative
Referees
Clubs
Accounting
Order
Interview
Accommodation
Arbitration Judge
Restoration
Transports
