Vice-champion of France 2025 alongside Bastien Blanqué, Nicolas Rouanet surprised everyone during the last French Championships in Casa Padel Tres. Still discreet on the national scene, the left-hander has proven that he knows how to respond in moments of high intensity. Between mental preparation, pressure management, unexpected anecdotes, and ambitions for the future, he recounts his career in detail.
A mental preparation above all
As soon as he knew that a partnership with Bastien Blanqué was possible, Rouanet prepared himself primarily on the psychological aspect: “I was somewhat aware that Bastien could call me. From that moment on, I prepared myself mentally. I knew the pressure was going to be enormous, that everyone would be waiting for me. My goal was to be in the moment and reveal my true level of play.” Rouanet tells a delicious anecdote: before these Championships, he had almost never played with Bastien. “We only met once at a tournament in Italy, at an FIP. We played… 20 minutes together, but pickleball!” A detail that makes the alchemy born during this weekend even more improbable.
The pressure of playing with the French number 1
Playing with the best French player on the left, a proven champion, was not an easy mission: “Yes, there was apprehension. It wasn't just excitement, but real pressure: to be up to the task. I knew I was going to be in a lot of demand, that I would be touching a lot of balls. The idea was not to miss out and to show that I could deliver.” Even before the tournament, some comments were flying: “People were already telling me I was a French champion before it started, just because I played with Bastien. But it's not that simple. Many players in this type of duo can't manage the weight. I focused on not missing out.”
Responding to criticism
The left-hander knew that his association would provoke reactions: “If it worked, many would say it was normal, that it was thanks to Bastien. But it wasn't easy for it to work. Bastien has already played with others, and sometimes it didn't work. I wanted to prove to him, as to the others, that we could form a good pair and go for the title.”
A trigger for the future
This journey gave him new certainties: “I already knew my level, but I managed to reproduce it in a context with a lot of pressure. For me, it was a turning point. Did I play better than usual? No, but I managed to deliver my best padel in a very tight situation, against the best French players. Mentally, I reached a new level. I beat players from the French team, and that changes the perception that others may have of me.”
Goals and future
Rouanet doesn't intend to stop there. The end of the season will be even more busy: “There are six or seven FIP tournaments left until November. I'm continuing with Isaac Husevelt, with whom I've been playing for two months. We're getting along well, on and off the court, and we're getting good results. We're finishing the season together.”
The French team in the back of my mind
Even though he was not selected this year, he hopes that his performance will have an impact on the future: “I think I scored some points. Pablo Ayma gave me very positive feedback after my matches. I know the competition is tough, especially on the right, but it's up to me to keep winning and improving. Nothing is certain. Maybe this Championship will tip the scales for what comes next. In any case, I know that Pablo saw me in Bordeaux, he saw me in these Championships and he follows my results. That counts.”
A bitter finale
The defeat, after two match points, remains painful: “In the heat of the moment, it was very complicated. I didn't want to be there at the awards ceremony. But Bastien and I quickly decided to focus on the positives. In one week, we experienced a powerful human and sporting adventure. Playing with him will remain an unforgettable experience.” Rouanet also measures the distance traveled: “Our draw was tough: Ayuso and Muesser in the last 16, Boronad and Fonteny in the quarter-finals, Tison and Forcin in the semi-finals… It was physically and mentally exhausting. In the final, we perhaps lacked a bit of freshness. We were French champions by one point. But when I look back, I only remember the positives.”
A personal story
Beyond the sport, this adventure has a particular resonance for him: “A few years ago, I was still living in the United States. I watched the French Championships on YouTube with Bastien, Johan Bergeron… I had never even played padel. And three years later, I found myself defending the title with Bastien. It's something unique, a crazy adventure that I will never forget.”
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.
David Matéo, number 1 in Europe: FIP tournament director and builder of ViaPadelthe man with many hats
Pablo Cardona sees the light at the end of the tunnel: hoped-for return to Miami with Javi Leal
Casting call in Aix-en-Provence: the series “Simon Coleman” is looking for two padel players for stand-in roles
Crosetti is betting on Libaak: “He just needs someone to join him at world number 1”
Coki Nieto returns to Gijón: “Jon and I can compete with anyone”
Momo González: “I only learned to change my grip two years ago.”
The Kidney Padel Tour arrives in March 2026, a national solidarity tour in support of Berger's disease research.
Godallier and Marchetti secured their place in the main draw of the Gijón P2 by defeating Touly / Fassio
FIP rankings: three French artists in the top 120, a continued positive trend
Wilson Endure V.1: Momo Gonzalez's new signing reviewed by Stéphane Penso
P2 Gijón – Léa Godallier and Alix Collombon advance to the round of 16!
Álex Ruiz: “My presidency at the PPA? A huge disappointment on all levels”
Gijón P2 – A historic tie-break in 20-18 between Jofre / Castaño and García / Gala
STAR: Padel reinvented, blending sport, elegance, and networking
Colombia, the new driving force of Latin American padel
New OnlyFans signing: Osoro opens up about his career
Opening a padel club: how much does it cost?
Being tall in padel: an advantage on the serve according to the FIP rule?
Is singles padel allowed in official competitions?
The controversial rules in padel: what the regulations actually say
Padel serve: what is the exact height at which the ball should be struck according to the FIP?
Understanding the effects to play padel better
Air padel: why pros keep repeating "into thin air" (and how to use it without it becoming a gimmick)
The vibra broken down: transfer, striking plan and sensations
And Ducati created the fastest pala in the world!
Augsburger, the smash as signature: between genius and haste
Mario Cordero's tactical analysis of a Leo match – Best athlete
Right-wing players: the clash of generational approaches
When padel becomes synchronized: why we sometimes fall into the opponent's rhythm
Yanguas: immense qualities serving a still fragile mentality
Ale Galán: a wounded hand, but that doesn't stop him!
Preventing injuries in padel: methods that allow you to play longer
Warm-up, stretching, cool-down: the keys to longevity
Children's padel: a culture established in Spain, an inspiring model for France
High-level training and pathways: Spain and France, two different dynamics
Christophe, when an amateur player engages in a genuine learning process
February holidays: tennis and padel camps at the Les Pyramides club
Anyway, it was fantastic to see you play with Bastien in this championship! And I really appreciate the psychological and mental work you emphasize! Well done! It's HUGE!