Top
  • Apply
  • Contact Us
  • Give
  • Locations
  • Request Info
  • Indigo Portal

William Carey University Crest Logo
  • I want to...
  • Prospects
    • Apply Now
    • Campuses
    • College of Osteopathic Medicine
    • Explore Degree Programs
    • Graduate Admissions
    • International Student Admissions
    • Request Information
    • School of Pharmacy
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Visit Campus
  • Students
        • Services
          • Canvas
          • E-Mail
          • Indigo Portal
          • Library
          • Office 365
          • OneLogin
          • TK20
          • WEPA Printing
      • Resources
        • Apply for Graduation
        • Faculty & Staff Directory
        • How To Tutorials
        • Register for Classes
        • Request a Transcript
        • Student Handbook
  • Faculty & Staff
    • Canvas
    • Library
    • Indigo Portal
    • E-Mail
    • Early Alert
    • Office 365
    • OneLogin
    • Sadernet
    • TK20
    • WEPA Printing
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Association
    • Alumni Chapters
    • Alumni Newsletter
    • Carey Magazine
    • Homecoming
    • Update Your Information
  •    
  • Search

University News

  1. News
  2. University News

WCU left-hander helps prep French Open champion

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2021 11:16 AM
  • Student Life

Leo Besson of the WCU tennis team, left, with French Open champion Novak Djokovic



On Sunday, tennis fans were on their feet in Paris as Novak Djokovic rallied from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling French Open final.

But before that could happen, Djokovic first had to get past Rafael Nadal in a semi-final match. Nadal was a 13-time winner of the French Open – where he had an overall record of 105 wins and two losses.

That’s where Leo Bresson of the William Carey University tennis team came in. Bresson is a native of Virey City in Normandy, France.

“For the last couple of years, Leo was chosen to be one of the practice partners for players at the French Open. On Friday, Novak Djokovic was scheduled to face Rafael Nadal in his semi-final match,” said WCU head tennis coach Marc Lux.

“Nadal is a lefty, so Novak was looking for a left-handed practice partner to get the perfect preparation. Leo is a lefty, too, and was chosen to be his practice partner the day before the semi-final. Novak Djokovic ended up beating Rafael Nadal and considered the match to be one of the best three he’s ever played.”

Closer to home, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ranked Bresson No. 2 in singles during much of the 2020-21 season. He was also named NAIA Rookie of the Year and earned a spot as a NAIA First Team All-American.

“It’s an amazing experience to share a court with someone like Djokovic. Not many people get to train with the No. 1 in the world in a Grand Slam Tournament like the French Open. He is 100 percent going to be a legend in this sport. He is already – but in the end, I think he will have more Grand Slams than Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal,” Bresson said.

Bresson will return to Mississippi in the fall to complete an MBA at the William Carey University School of Business.
Related News
April 28, 2022
WCU presents annual awards at Honors Convocation

January 10, 2022
Eastern Orthodox tradition: “The Arrival of the Magi”

March 30, 2021
WCU dedicates Tommy & Sandra King Student Center

January 22, 2021
WCU and Hattiesburg Clinic open new student health clinic

October 15, 2020
Streaming Oct. 24: Carey Theatre presents "Anne & Emmett"
 
I want to...
View Degree Options
 
 
Prospects
  • Apply for Admissions
  • Apply for Financial Aid
  • Apply for Housing
  • Contact an Office
  • Estimate Tuition & Fees
  • Get the Parent Newsletter
  • Request Information
  • Schedule a Campus Visit
  • View Courses
Students
  • Apply for Financial Aid
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Apply for Housing
  • Check My Email
  • Do Research
  • Get VA Information
  • Hattiesburg Campus Map
  • Pay My Bill
  • Register for Classes
  • Request a Transcript
  • Student Health
  • View Catalog
  • View Courses
  • Withdraw from Carey
Alumni
  • Get Alumni Updates
  • Get My Transcript
  • Give to Carey
  • Join an Alumni Chapter
  • Support Friends of Carey
Community
  • Attend an Event
  • Attend Homecoming
  • Give to Carey
  • Work at Carey
Offices

  • Academic Affairs
  • Admissions
  • Advancement
  • Alumni
  • Athletics
  • Baptist Student Union
  • Bookstore
  • Campus Dining
  • Campus Life
  • Campus Safety & Security
  • Carey Center
  • Church Relations
  • Commencement
  • Disability Services
  • English Language Center
  • Executive Vice President
  • Finance
  • Financial Aid
  • Graduate Programs
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Institutional Research
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Library
  • Media Relations
  • Online Learning
  • President
  • Provost
  • QEP
  • Registrar
  • Residence Life & Housing
  • Student Accounts
  • Student Activities
  • Student Assistance
  • Student Counseling Center
  • Student Life
  • Student Success Center
Campuses
  • Hattiesburg
    710 William Carey Parkway
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401

    (601) 318-6051 Toll Free: (800) 962-5991

  • Tradition
    19640 Highway 67
    Biloxi, MS 39532

    (228) 702-1775

  • Baton Rouge
    Suite 1010, 1st Floor
    3600 Florida Blvd
    Baton Rouge, LA 70806

    (225) 953-7017
 
Online Learning
  • Online Learning
    710 William Carey Parkway
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401

    (601) 318-6051 More Info
 

Popular Tags
  • Education
  • Music
  • Arts and Letters
  • Osteopathic Medicine
  • Theatre and Communication
  • Art
  • Admissions
  • Alumni
  • Nursing
  • Athletics

Web Accessibility | Clery Act | Title IX | Terms of Use | Online Privacy Policy | GDPR Privacy Notice