It's now official: Alix Collombon, French number 1 and 26th in the world, has decided to devote herself to 100% on the international circuit Premier Padel. Direct consequence: she will no longer participate, at least for a time, in the French Padel Championships.

This decision raises a question: could other players follow his example?

Undivided domination

From 2017, Alix Collombon won all her French Championships, namely eight consecutive titles, without ever conceding a single defeat. Alongside Léa Godallier, she imposed a real hegemony.

His victories, often obtained in a rushed manner, had ended up losing their flavor. Over time, the motivation to defend this national title was no longer a priorityIf there had been stronger competition, the stakes would probably have been different. But for the past five years, the pair Collombon / Godallier swept the board.

A global priority

Alix Collombon is the only French player – and even the only French player – to participate in all main tables of the circuit Premier Padel. Installed in the Top 30 worldwide, she seeks to take a step forward to integrate the Top 20.

For two years, this level has resisted. Every week, she encounters the same pairs and the same obstacles. To hope to go further, every detail counts : better manage fatigue, avoid additional travel, concentrate on international competition.

In this context, continuing to play in the French Championships – where she had nothing more to prove – became an additional burden, both mentally and physically.

An isolated case for the moment

In France, no other player occupies a position similar to that of Alix Collombon. As long as our best representatives remain beyond 50th place in the world, it is unlikely that this “Collombon jurisprudence” will apply to others.

And besides, it's hard to see, in the current conditions, Léa Godallier following Alix Collombon. The problem is that this separation could have the consequence of breaking up the Carla Touly / Jessica Ginier pair... The French vice-champions know that Léa is the winning ticket for the 2026 France. Unless, precisely, Touly / Ginier decide to stay together to avoid a separation made like that... Even if padel, as we know, is precisely that. The domino effect.

In the men's category, the situation is very different: national competition is fierce. The title of Champion of France has great sporting and symbolic value. It also allows regain confidence, to gain positive momentum, while on the FIP Tour final victories remain rare and difficult to achieve.

A competition that is always essential

Unlike the numerous and sometimes anonymous FIP tournaments, the French Championships offer a unique meeting with the French public every year. A showcase where the best French players are expected and where the trophy retains real importance.

In this sense, Alix Collombon's decision remains an isolated caseHer career, her ambitions, and her place in the world rankings set her apart from the rest. For French padel, it will now be necessary to learn to move forward without its national number 1 in this competition... while taking advantage of the growing rivalry between the other players.

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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