At 47, Miguel Lamperti continues to electrify crowds wherever he plays. Now ranked 89th in the world, the Argentinian remains one of the most popular figures in padel. At Bordeaux P2, he speaks with his characteristic candor about the evolution of his game, his new role mentoring young players, the physical demands of a career spanning more than twenty years, and also his perspective on a circuit where pairings change ever more rapidly. An interview with a legend who still refuses to hang up his paddle. 

“In Bordeaux, we don’t just have boom, boom…”

 Padel Magazine What do you think of the playing conditions in Bordeaux? 

 Miguel Lamperti: Honestly, I think this track will appeal to a lot of people.

We've just come off a series of very fast tournaments — well, I wasn't necessarily there (smile), but on the circuit, we played a lot on very lively courses.

Here, it's completely different.

The track is rather slow, or at least intermediate to slow.

We're going to see some real padel.

The exchanges will be longer.

And I think that, for the public too, it's nice not to always see the same type of match where everything boils down to "boom, boom, boom" with only winning smashes.

In Bordeaux, we will have to build up our points.

Miguel Lamperti: "I can't act like a fool like I used to. At 47, I train more than ever!"

 "Even the world number one still has things to improve." 

 After so many years on the circuit, do you still find aspects of your game that you need to improve? 

Everyday.

And I would even go so far as to say that I find more of them today than before.

The problem is, I have a little less time… because I'm old! (laughs)

But there's always something to improve.

Padel is constantly evolving.

When I watch young people play today, it's not the same sport I played when I started out.

You have to know how to adapt.

I sincerely believe that everyone can improve.

Even the world number one.

Miguel Lamperti: "I can't act like a fool like I used to. At 47, I train more than ever!"

 "Today, I'm mainly looking to support young people." 

 Lately, we've seen you playing with much younger partners. Has this become a necessity? 

I'm going to be very honest.

For most of my career, I always played with the best players.

Why?

Because my ranking allowed me to do it.

Today, my ranking has dropped significantly.

The best players won't necessarily choose to play with me anymore.

That's the reality of the circuit.

So I prefer to bet on young players who have a lot of potential.

I try to pass on my experience to them.

And they bring me that youth, that freshness and that hunger to win that one has at their age.

It's an exchange.

 So your role in a pair has completely changed? 

Yes.

Totally.

When I was younger, I was much more individualistic.

I mainly wanted to play my padel.

I was thinking primarily about my own level.

Over the years, you understand that the most important thing is your partner.

He is just as important as you are.

Today, my goal is to build a team.

Unfortunately, it becomes very complicated.

Miguel Lamperti: "I can't act like a fool like I used to. At 47, I train more than ever!"

 "Pairs no longer have time to build anything." 

 Why has it become so difficult? 

Because there are a huge number of tournaments.

And especially because the pairs change all the time.

In my opinion, an association should have time to develop.

Today, that is no longer the case.

The rankings dictate everything.

Players often choose their partners based on points rather than on the actual level or potential of the pair.

I think that's a shame.

He sometimes lacks a bit of patience.

 "At 47, I train more than I did at 30." 

 At this stage of your career, are you spending more time recovering than before? 

I'm going to surprise you again.

Today, I train more than before.

Differently, of course.

I take better care of my body.

But I'm working more.

I feel that if I go two days without training, I immediately lose feeling.

Physical preparation has become essential.

On a slow track like this one in Bordeaux, you need to be able to physically endure long exchanges.

The hardest part is sometimes not even the match itself.

It's about managing to recover enough to be ready to play again the next day.

 "Experience can never replace hard work." 

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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