Hiram Azilinon, formerly padel coach at the Pyramides club and Sports Director at Maurepas, shares his career, highlights the importance of physical preparation, and explains why Having played tennis is an asset major for padel players.

I don't have the classic path

I discovered padel about 10 years ago thanks to a friend, and I immediately fell in love with this sport. Originally, I was a basketball coach and player, but I quickly felt the need to teach padel, whether to beginners or experienced players to share this passion with as many people as possible.

Very quickly, I passed my diplomas with Cédric Carité, then, I finalized my training with the federation when it created its first test which is now called the TFP. Today, I am a coach in one of the biggest French clubs, the Pyramides club. I have been teaching padel for almost 7 years and from September, I will also become the manager of a private structure.

The importance of physical preparation

Physical preparation is essential to avoid injuries, just like in any other sport. If you want to practice padel for a long time and in good health, you have no choice but to give your body what it needs. And what it needs is regular physical training to be able to last over time.

Physical preparation is primarily a preventive measure rather than a quest for performance. Performance comes second. But first, it is important to focus on injury prevention.

Hiram

The advantage of tennis players in padel

It is usually an advantage to have played tennis before starting padel. The game of padel is largely based on the volley, and tennis players naturally have good gestures for volleys. This gives them a solid foundation.

The numbers are clear: among the top 100 padel players in France, almost all come from tennis. According to Padel Magazine, we do find an exception in the person of Bastien Blanqué, member of the French team, who has played very little tennis before, but this remains a rare case.

Bastien Blanqué, an atypical profile in the padel world

This experience in tennis gives them a definite advantage over many other players.

However, when I look at what is happening in Spain, with the growing number of very competent teachers who do not have a tennis background, I tell myself that there is room for all styles of play and, obviously, for 100% padel coaches, without necessarily having played another racket sport.

Moreover, I even think that a coach who goes through all the stages to progress in padel, without having this past as a squash or tennis player, can transform this handicap into an asset. Indeed, he could be more able to share his experience of the learning process, unlike others who quickly reached a high level, like the French top 200, for example.

Dorian Massy

New padel fan, I am fascinated by this dynamic sport that combines strategy and agility. I find in padel a new passion to explore and share with you on Padel Magazine.

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