Having won their first-round match at the Bordeaux P2 tournament, Julien Seurin and Johan Bergeron will ultimately not have the opportunity to continue their run. Suffering from a hamstring injury, Bergeron is forced to withdraw along with his partner before their next match. Despite this disappointment, the two Frenchmen reflect on their tournament, the playing conditions, and also share their views on the French national team.

"I was already playing injured."

 Your adventure ultimately comes to an end due to a forfeit… 

 Johan Bergeron:  It's definitely frustrating. I had a hamstring strain and was already playing while still injured today. We managed to win despite everything, but continuing wasn't sensible. We preferred to stop rather than aggravate the injury.

"Playing on the left has nothing to do with the French national team."

 Johan, some people saw a link between your move to the left and the French national team… 

 Johan Bergeron:  Not at all. My split with Timéo Fonteny led me to think about a new partner, and I had very fond memories of the tournament I played with Julien last year. It was only natural that I thought of him. I knew it would allow me to play on the left.

In the summer, with the fast conditions of the FIP (French International Championships), I really like this position. Here, it's completely different, and I'm finding it more difficult. On the other hand, I can play on the left with a left-handed player, whereas with a right-handed player, I think it would be much more complicated. But that has absolutely nothing to do with the French national team.

France training camp: Seurin and Bergeron advocate for an expanded squad

"In Spain, I am completely dedicated to my project."

 Julien, you train in Spain. If an equivalent structure existed in France, would you return? 

 Julien Seurin:  The question deserves consideration. If I could find a similarly professional environment, close to my family, why not? But today, living in Spain allows me to remain fully focused on my sporting project.

I'm far from my loved ones, I don't have many distractions, and everything revolves around training. That's what motivates me to stay fully committed.

"The conditions" Premier Padel"It's a different sport."

 What do you think of the playing conditions here in Bordeaux? 

 Johan Bergeron:  This has nothing to do with the FIP. There's more space, exits are allowed, and points continue to be awarded. Tactically, it's much richer.

In FIP, especially in the summer, you can often try a smash as soon as a lob comes in. Here, if you come out three-pointers, your opponents know how to defend. You have to build up play, make the right choices. It's a much more complete game of padel.

 Julien Seurin:  The track is superb. You think more, you take more time in the exchanges. These conditions force you to be more tactical and, in the end, I find that very interesting.

France training camp: Seurin and Bergeron advocate for an expanded squad

"We're progressing tournament by tournament."

 Is your association here to stay? 

 Johan Bergeron:  We haven't made any commitments. We're playing together this summer and as long as it works, we'll continue.

 Julien Seurin:  On the FIP circuit, things can change very quickly. An opportunity, a change of plans… you never know. For now, we get along very well both on and off the field, so there's no reason to change.

"The communication surrounding the internship disappointed us."

The two players also reacted to the French national team's training camp.

 Julien Seurin:  I don't dispute the selection. If I had been ranked higher, there probably wouldn't have been any debate. However, I was disappointed by the way it was communicated and by the fact that the training camp only involves ten players, more than three months before the competition.

I think a more open stage would have allowed us to see more players who are performing well today on the FIP.

 Johan Bergeron:  This year, there are a lot of French players performing at a very high level. A larger gathering would have allowed the staff to observe more players and create real competition.

Results matter, but they don't always tell the whole story. Today, for example, if we had lost, few people would have known I was playing injured. That's also why it's important to see players perform on the field, and not just look at the results.

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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