In the heart of the Bois de Boulogne (16th century), at the very select Racing Club Lagardère, a group of technicians are busy working on the clay tennis courts. The camera is plugged in, the sound boom in place. “It’s working,” says an assistant. On the court, the little yellow ball passes from one side to the other of the net. “You have some nice leftovers, Mr. Beti!” » says the police inspector, played by the actor Florent Peyre, who runs, a racket in his hand, out of breath. This Mr. Beti is Yannick Noah, at the other end of the field. In a navy blue blazer and pants, white sneakers, the ex-tennis champion responds to his accomplice, while continuing with him forehands and backhands.
After a small role in Nicolas Vanier’s latest film “It’s the world upside down!” », the 64-year-old ex-sportsman and singer, who became a father for the sixth time two months ago, becomes an actor for his first television drama. In this thriller which will be broadcast on France 2, “Death on clay”, he plays one of the main roles, that of a slightly troubled tennis coach, who discovers, one tournament morning, the lifeless body of a promising young player. Available and relaxed, the winner of Roland-Garros 1983 tells us about this new adventure, a few days after joining the management of French para-tennis.