Adventure often begins where you least expect it. Laura Buteau, a young French player on the FIP circuit, experienced this week a incredible entry into the universe Premier Padel, with the program: sleepless night, two countries crossed, and a meeting against a pair from the world's top 35. Just that.

A last minute call

He's 23:00 p.m. this Wednesday evening in Barcelona. Laura just got back from a long journey from Benidorm (about 4 hours drive) when the phone rings: the P2 tournament in Valladolid is looking for a replacement pair following a last-minute withdrawal from the qualifying draw. Challenge accepted.

Without further ado, she immediately sets off again in the car, heading for the Plaza Mayor of Valladolid, accompanied by Alexandre Prévert behind the wheel for the 6-hour journey. A quick break halfway through, but no rest possible for the co-driver. Result: arrival at 6:45 a.m. in a cafe already occupied by the last partygoers of the night. The faces are tired, but the good mood is there – and even a few @ Instagram exchanged out of compassion, between two strong coffees.

A symbolic performance

At 11 a.m., without having slept, Laura Buteau sets foot on a circuit course for the first time Premier PadelFacing them is an experienced pair, fresh from winning the Madrid first division, with a level of play that belongs to another dimension. The score is clear: 0 / 6 1 / 6. However, beyond the figures, the performance is there: 12 winning shots, only 10 unforced errors, seven games tied at 30-30, And a 0/5 on break points which could have slightly changed the scenario.

His partner of the day, Luisa Roque de Pinho, did not spare his efforts either: just returning from a quarter-final in the Portuguese championship (and an injury), she also took to the road at 23 p.m. for a 5-hour road trip from Portugal, accompanied by a friend.

In the end, the story is not told with the sets won, but with energy and courage deployed to seize this opportunity. In a sport where places are expensive, it is clear that players are ready to make every effort possible to achieve their goals.

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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