Present at the FIP Bronze tournament in Marnes-la-Coquette alongside Romain Sichez, Adrien Maigret spoke on several current topics in French padel. Wild cards for the Paris Major, the role of veteran players, the upcoming selection for the World Championships… The former international player delivered a nuanced message: supporting young players without erasing those who have made their mark on the recent history of French padel. 

A first tournament with Romain Sichez

Before discussing the issues currently stirring up French padel, Adrien Maigret spoke about his new partnership with  Romain Sichez .

The two players were playing together for the first time, after several unsuccessful attempts.

“We’d been trying to play together for a while. We’d had about ten opportunities, but we both play on the left and we often had other chances. This time, everything fell into place and I’m very happy to be playing with him.”

Despite a summer devoted to his new position of  director of the center Padel World in Maurepas Adrien Maigret said he was in excellent shape.

"I didn't train much during July and August because I was working a lot. In the end, it made me even more eager to play again. For me, everything comes down to desire and motivation."

FIP Bronze Marnes: Sichez and Maigret surprise Muesser/Hugounenq right from the start, the other French players make their mark in the first round

"Thomas Leygue deserved a wild card"

When asked about the invitations awarded by the FFT for the  Paris Major Adrien Maigret believes that the choices made in favor of the new generation are consistent.

"Giving young players a chance makes sense to me. They play well and they're improving. There's no question about that."

However, one name is missing according to him:  Thomas Leygue .

"That's the hardest part for me. Thomas has been a pillar of French padel for years. He's always been there at Roland-Garros, he's won matches, he was coming back very well after his injury... I think he deserved this wild card."

For Maigret, we must not forget the career of the French number two.

"He was the best French player by a considerable margin before his injury. He is also a bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships and has been the dominant force in the French Championships for several seasons."

"Dylan Guichard, there's no discussion about it."

While he regrets Leygue's absence among the guests, Adrien Maigret is, on the other hand, categorical regarding  Dylan Guichard .

"For me, there's no hesitation. Dylan thoroughly deserves his place. He's having a very good season, he's currently our number one French player, and he's leading a coherent project with his partner. This wild card is perfectly logical."

For the World Championships, "the best pairs must be selected"

A few months before the World Championships, Adrien Maigret defends a simple idea: to favour the most competitive associations.

"In the French national team, you have to select the best possible pairs. A world championship is played as a team, but especially as a pair."

While he appreciates the emergence of young French people, he believes that experience must continue to count.

"The young players are doing well, but there are also some veterans who are still performing very well."

He cites in particular  Benjamin Tison whom he still believes is capable of contributing a great deal to the French team.

"When you see that he beat Maxi Sánchez again just a few weeks ago, I think it's a shame that he's not really being promoted anymore."

FIP Bronze Marnes - In a match full of twists and turns, Tison and Maigret caused a sensation against Blanqué / Boronad

"We also have things to pass on."

Adrien Maigret insists on one point: his speech is not an opposition between generations.

"We are the first to support young players. I've played with almost all of the best French prospects. There are no problems with them."

On the other hand, he regrets that former international players are no longer being asked to accompany this new wave.

“We never get called. Yet we have a lot to pass on, not only technically, but also in managing big events, pressure, and international competition.”

The Parisian uses football as an example.

"At PSG, former players remain involved with the club. I think French padel could take inspiration from this model."

"The results show that we need to ask the right questions."

Finally, Adrien Maigret points out that the recent results of the French team give cause for reflection.

“We won bronze at the World Championships in 2022. Today, we’ve dropped out of the top 4 in Europe and finished seventh at the last World Championship. Nations like the Netherlands are progressing very quickly by consistently fielding their best combinations.”

Without claiming to hold the truth, the former international simply hopes that all generations can contribute to the development of French padel.

"I don't have all the answers. I simply want everyone to be able to contribute to the development of French padel."

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!

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