Athlete of the Week: Jean Goetze

When Jean Goetze isn’t teaching French at the Arts and Community Enrichment Center in Sarasota, she is active. To celebrate her 50th birthday while living in Paris, she and a friend learned to Rollerblade as a challenge. Since breaking her wrist, she hasn’t taken it up again. She and her husband also enjoy playing pétanque, the French form of bocce ball, but haven’t yet found a group to play with on Longboat.

Goetze plays tennis three times a week, tries to swim twice a week and jogs one morning a week. She plays tennis at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center or at Grand Bay and switches it up between mixed doubles, women’s doubles and singles with her husband, Jean-René.

What got you into tennis?
I tried it when I was a teenager, but it was so frustrating. Then in my young 30s, I was a mom and really connected to it. Then, I stopped (playing) for 25 years and started again a year ago when we moved here (to Longboat Key from Paris).

What’s your favorite aspect of the game?
(Her husband, Jean-René Goetze, jokes, “Getting the ball over the net.”)
Seeing progress. Seeing it start to come together. Also the camaraderie.

What is the most difficult aspect?
Keeping the focus. Focusing on the ball and keeping my grip strong.

Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever played?
Here! I’ve played all over Longboat, and every place is gorgeous.

What is the breakfast of champions?
Plain, nonfat yogurt, half a grapefruit, uncooked oatmeal with a little fruit and some tea.

If you could have a superhero power, what would it be and why?
To change other people’s thinking and attitudes, because there are people I love in my life and I don’t necessarily agree with where they are going.

If you could play with any person in the world, with whom would you want to play?
The first person that comes in my mind is Chris Evert Lloyd. I’d want to have lessons from her.