Tournaments

10 Apr 2018

Gradual measured progress; three years ago in 2015 she was making her first footsteps at senior level when on home soil she represented Canada at the Pan American Games in Toronto, on that occasion Alicia Côté was the youngest athlete on duty in an sport.

Now, at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, she is very much an integral member of her national team and on the morning of Tuesday 10th April, she made a fine start in the Women’s Singles event.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Competing in the group qualification phase, she accounted for Sanjana Alix Ramasawmy of Mauritius in four straight games (11-4, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4).

Alicia Côté was several steps ahead of her brave opponents but that is what the 18 year old needs to do; she shows promise, the technique looks sound, now it is a question of making the next step which is a big step; moving from promising to established.

Playing most worthy opponents in the Women’s Team event earlier in the proceedings, against Australia’s Tracey Feng she was beaten in a full distance five games duel (5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9), later in the proceedings it was the same when confronting England’s Tin-Tin Ho (11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5).

“Sometimes I think I lose focus when it is close, I become nervous, I make mistakes. Against Tracey Feng in the team event I was ahead, I led 7-4 in the fourth game. I need to try to relax, stop thinking about the score and just play one point at a time; focus on each point not the score.” Alicia Côté

It all sounds so easy; it is not! It is a major challenge for the Alicia Côté.

“I think since the Pan American Games in Toronto I am more consistent and more confident in the rallies. I am now in my second year playing in Linz; the level of practice is high and it helps playing against the boys who are more powerful. I need to improve my forehand, I need to be stronger with the first two attacks; at the moment I am a little too passive. Today before the match I was a little nervous but I managed to overcome any concerns.” Alicia Côté

A good start for Alicia Côté, in her second group stage match she meets Guyana’s Priscilla Greaves.

2018 Commonwealth Games Alicia Cote
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Day 11 - 2018 Commonwealth Games