When people think of tennis, they often imagine grand courts, major cities, luxury clubs, world-class training facilities, and more. But if that’s the image you have in mind, it’s time to let it go. Because for players such as France’s Alice Robbe, the journey is often quite the opposite.
Competing in her third FISU World University Games at Rhine-Ruhr 2025, the 25-year-old athlete began her career in a small coastal town in Normandy.
Born in Cherbourg-Octeville, , she has always been passionate about tennis, a passion that carried her from a quiet community to the international stage. Thanks to her discipline and dedication, Robbe was claimed her country’s U12 champion in Paris in 2012. From there, her steady rise began.
After competing in national events in every age category, Robbe achieved significant success at the professional level between 2022 and 2025, collecting an impressive nine ITF titles, including three in singles and six in doubles, while also making her Grand Slam debut in doubles at the 2023 French Open.
Familiar face at FISU Games
Robbe has become a familiar figure at the FISU Games, winning a bronze medal in each of her first two participations, in mixed doubles at Napoli 2019 and in women’s singles at Chengdu 2023.
“I love this kind of competition. I also played in Chengdu and Naples, so I really love the University Games. And this is my last one anyway, because I’m 25 now. I just want to enjoy it as much as I can and see how far I can go.”
University life helped with tennis comeback
A shoulder injury suffered in late 2023 that lasted nearly 18 months marked a true turning point in Robbe’s career. During this long and uncertain break from competition, she faced major physical and mental challenges.
But she did not go through that period only as a player. She was also a university student, and that dual career became her foundation. Instead of feeling lost, Dobbe found structure and meaning in her academic life. “I had a good year and a half with a shoulder injury… 18 months of struggle… Luckily, I had my finance studies, a master’s degree,” she said.
Focusing on her education helped her stay connected to the sport she loved even when she could not compete. That time was not just a pause, it became a quiet transformation for her. Robbe emerged from it not only physically healed, but mentally stronger, with a broader perspective on life and her sporting career.
Paving her own path
From a quiet town in northern France to the worldwide stage of university sport, Alice Robbe’s story is one of persistence rather than glamour. With calm and confident steps, she continues her journey—and leaves behind a message for the next generation: “Everybody can do the thing they want.”
And she is living proof of that.
The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games take place from 16-27 July. Watch all the competitions live on fisu.tv. Click on the link to find the full schedule.
Written by Düşlem Gökgöz, EU U-Media Ambassador,Türkiye
The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU’s commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the competition.
We warmly thank FISU Official Partner Qiaodan Ltd. which provides remarkable uniforms to FISU Family and International Technical Officials since 2015. Qiaodan is a valuable partner for FISU as it continued to provide its support during the postponement of events due to the global pandemic, and recently extended the relationship with FISU up to and including 2025.
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