A few hours before delivering one of the biggest French performances of this  Paris Major ,  Dylan Guichard  had confided in Padel MagazineNew French number 1, ambitions with the French national team, progress alongside Clément Geens, objectives on Premier Padel or even players from whom he draws inspiration: the Frenchman has taken stock of a season which allows him to gradually reach new milestones.

Since that interview, Guichard has made a perfect start to his Roland-Garros tournament. Partnered with  Clement Geens he outclassed  Santiago Pineda / Javi Ruiz 6/0 6/2 with a particularly accomplished performance on Philippe Chatrier. A victory that confirms much of the progress mentioned a few hours earlier.

Number 1 in France, but not obsessed with the rankings

For the first time, Dylan Guichard arrives at Roland-Garros with the status of  French number 1 . A necessarily unique position, even if he refuses to make it an end in itself.

"It's still a symbol, it's very nice to be number 1 in France."

Above all, Guichard sees beyond his own place in the hierarchy.  "I hope I can continue to be number 1, but if we're all in the top 100, that's even better."  This statement perfectly sums up the current dynamics of French padel, with several young players gradually starting to approach the top 100. We're thinking in particular of...  Timéo Fonteny, already 134th in the world in  Thomas Leygue , which is returning to its best level, and, in the more distant future, to  Yoan Boronad, Jérémy Robert or Olivier Guy de Chamisso ...

He has already broken into the top 100, but does not wish to set a specific ranking to achieve.

"I don't stress about it at all. I've noticed that it can sometimes be an unnecessary added pressure."

His method is therefore much simpler:  progressing tournament by tournament , aim to get through as many rounds as possible and maintain the same level of commitment on a daily basis.

"To be rigorous at all times in training and tournaments, to be the best version of myself and see how far that can take me." No top 50 or top 30 ranking announced as a goal: Guichard prefers to let the results dictate his progress.

Blanqué, Fonteny or Robert with him in the French national team?

Another major event at the end of this season: the  World's Championships And with the emergence of several young French players, there are many possibilities for forming pairs.

Guichard specifically mentions three players with whom he could easily imagine himself on the track.

"Bastien Blanqué and I have already played together, and he is a key player for the French national team."

He also mentions  Timeo Fonteny who continues to progress on the international circuit: "He plays very well and I think that if we have to play together on the French team, there won't be any problem."

Finally, the French number 1 quotes  Jeremy Robert whose profile could be compatible with his own: "He has the same playing style, I don't know if he will be selected or not, and if he is, it's possible that we might end up playing together."

But Guichard is not claiming any partners:  "I'll play with whomever's needed and I'll give my all; it will depend on the coach's choices." 

Guichard/Geens, a pair particularly at ease indoors

The good results of  Guichard / Geens  They were often built in indoor conditions. A trend that the Frenchman readily acknowledges.

"We both still prefer playing indoors."

He believes, in particular, that these conditions are especially well suited to the Belgian's game.  Clément Geens likes to take risks and accelerate which inevitably becomes more delicate when the wind or the sun alters the sensations.

Guichard also admits to having been less effective away from home for a long time.

"I went through a period where I really struggled to play outdoors. Now, I've been training quite a bit and it's getting better."

This work is starting to pay off. His performance in the first round of this Paris Major is a further illustration of this: with Geens, the Frenchman perfectly controlled his match, conceding only two games to Pineda / Ruiz.

Premier Padel becomes the priority

With their rise in the standings, Guichard and Geens are now starting to look more towards the  main tables of Premier Padel , and especially those of the Majors.

"With Clément, we're close to being in the main draw at least at the Majors."

The stakes are high. Entering directly into the main draw avoids qualifying rounds and, above all, guarantees access to more opportunities and points.

"The goal is to try and make it into the main draw in Kuwait first, then Mexico afterwards, because it makes a real difference to be in the main draws directly, especially in Majors."

The FIP Tour will remain an option to pick up points when necessary, but the trend is clear for the end of the season:  "There are still many points to be won in Premier PadelI think we're going to focus on that. 

Galán and Chingotto as references, Cardona for inspiration

Guichard also remains a big fan of padel. Even now playing alongside the best players in the world, he continues to watch their matches with the eye of both a spectator and a player.

"From time to time, I still focus on trying to see the difference, what they do better, why they are stronger."

Two players particularly caught his attention:  Ale Galán and Fede Chingotto Of the first, he particularly admires  "rigor"  and this ability to maintain "a consistently high level of play".

But to develop one's own game, it's primarily  paul cardona  that he observes.

"I'm trying to take some inspiration from Cardona."

The two left-handers, however, do not have exactly the same characteristics. Guichard describes a more aggressive and powerful Cardona, capable of  take up a lot of ground .

"He doesn't move that much, but he's always well positioned."

An interesting model for Guichard, who is precisely looking to add new weapons to his game without losing what makes him strong today: his consistency.

"Six to eight teams can definitely compete for the title" at the French Championships

Before the end of the international season will also come the  French Championships , where Guichard will defend his title.

He will reunite with his partner, with whom he is the reigning champion, in an edition which he imagines to be particularly open.

"This year is going to be even more intense, even more difficult than previous years."

The return of certain partnerships, notably Leygue/Blanqué, and the progress of the new generation should considerably enrich the picture. For Guichard,  "Six to eight teams are fully capable of competing for the title" .

Despite a busy schedule and three days that promise to be "intense, tiring, and challenging", the desire remains intact:

"It's a tournament we all want to win, it's special."

Before thinking about the French Championships, Guichard has a Paris Major to play. And after his  6-0, 6-2 in the first round The French number 1 has secured himself a meeting of a completely different dimension:  Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger, seeded 3 , with a place in the round of 16 to be won.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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