Husky Women's Tennis European Tour: Day 4
September 17, 2018 | Women's Tennis
PARIS --- The Huskies continued their preseason European Tour as the team spent their first full day in France. The team practiced at Jean Bouin Tennis Club next to Roland-Garros in the morning, then visited famous landmarks in the city during the afternoon.
Junior Abbey Watanabe who joined the team this offseason after transferring from Fresno State recapped the team's day.
"Our first day in Paris was highly anticipated because it was also the first day we had enough time to sit down and have a full French breakfast! The hotel served fresh croissants, with several different jams, Nutella and cheeses alongside them."
"On the way to practice, it was amazing to observe all the stores and people going through the streets of Paris. A couple of UW students and alumni even greeted us and wished us luck on our trip, which made me proud to be attending a school home to so many diverse backgrounds."
"Our practice took place at the Jean Bouin Tennis Club. That isn't a household name for tennis fans, but the club is adjacent to the French Open grounds, and is used by the pros as practice courts during the event. For our warmup, we jogged in front of the stadium, and even got a picture in front of the grounds gate. During our practice back at the club, we realized that the Eiffel Tower was also visible from the courts."
"After practice, the team went out to view the Arc de Triomphe, the Pont des Arts, and the Notre-Dame. What surprised me the most about all three locations was that their surroundings were just as interesting in terms of design and architecture. We ended our night with some Basque cuisine, which included parsley escargot (six out of the nine girls on the team tried it), chicken leg, ajuallero (cod and potatoes combined), white beans with duck fat, and squid."
Get to Know Abbey
The Duvall, Wash. native transferred to Washington after playing two season for Fresno State. As a sophomore at Fresno State, Watanabe played in 18 matches going 10-8 in doubles play. She helped her Fresno State team win the 2018 Mountain West Championship. Watanabe's older brother Wendell played for the Husky men's tennis team from 2013-17.
Why did you choose the University of Washington?
"I love what the school has to offer both educationally and through tennis. I also wanted the honor to play for my local school."
How and when did you start to play tennis?
"I started playing tennis recreationally at five, and seriously at 12. I started because my older brothers played."
Who is your favorite tennis player?
"Serena Williams."
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
"To put everything into every practice, and to have that show in the team's success."
What is your favorite tennis memory?
"Being a part of the winning team in the 2018 Mountain West Conference final."
What is one random fact that people might not know about you?
"My middle name (Faye) was passed down from my grandmother on my mother's side."
What is your favorite thing to do in Seattle?
"To go to the International District."
What do you enjoy to do outside of tennis?
"Hiking, makeup, watching movies, shopping, and listening to music."
What is your favorite place that you've ever visited?
"San Diego, California."
What superpower would you like to have?
"Flight."
Check back at GoHuskies.com for more updates on the European tour, and follow the Huskies on Twitter @UW_WTennis and on Instagram @uw_wtennis.
Junior Abbey Watanabe who joined the team this offseason after transferring from Fresno State recapped the team's day.
"Our first day in Paris was highly anticipated because it was also the first day we had enough time to sit down and have a full French breakfast! The hotel served fresh croissants, with several different jams, Nutella and cheeses alongside them."
"On the way to practice, it was amazing to observe all the stores and people going through the streets of Paris. A couple of UW students and alumni even greeted us and wished us luck on our trip, which made me proud to be attending a school home to so many diverse backgrounds."
"Our practice took place at the Jean Bouin Tennis Club. That isn't a household name for tennis fans, but the club is adjacent to the French Open grounds, and is used by the pros as practice courts during the event. For our warmup, we jogged in front of the stadium, and even got a picture in front of the grounds gate. During our practice back at the club, we realized that the Eiffel Tower was also visible from the courts."
"After practice, the team went out to view the Arc de Triomphe, the Pont des Arts, and the Notre-Dame. What surprised me the most about all three locations was that their surroundings were just as interesting in terms of design and architecture. We ended our night with some Basque cuisine, which included parsley escargot (six out of the nine girls on the team tried it), chicken leg, ajuallero (cod and potatoes combined), white beans with duck fat, and squid."
Get to Know Abbey
The Duvall, Wash. native transferred to Washington after playing two season for Fresno State. As a sophomore at Fresno State, Watanabe played in 18 matches going 10-8 in doubles play. She helped her Fresno State team win the 2018 Mountain West Championship. Watanabe's older brother Wendell played for the Husky men's tennis team from 2013-17.
Why did you choose the University of Washington?
"I love what the school has to offer both educationally and through tennis. I also wanted the honor to play for my local school."
How and when did you start to play tennis?
"I started playing tennis recreationally at five, and seriously at 12. I started because my older brothers played."
Who is your favorite tennis player?
"Serena Williams."
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
"To put everything into every practice, and to have that show in the team's success."
What is your favorite tennis memory?
"Being a part of the winning team in the 2018 Mountain West Conference final."
What is one random fact that people might not know about you?
"My middle name (Faye) was passed down from my grandmother on my mother's side."
What is your favorite thing to do in Seattle?
"To go to the International District."
What do you enjoy to do outside of tennis?
"Hiking, makeup, watching movies, shopping, and listening to music."
What is your favorite place that you've ever visited?
"San Diego, California."
What superpower would you like to have?
"Flight."
Check back at GoHuskies.com for more updates on the European tour, and follow the Huskies on Twitter @UW_WTennis and on Instagram @uw_wtennis.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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