Readers of  Padel Magazine  already know  Kateryna Yegoreychenko Interviewed for the first time in  2022 , and then again during the first edition of the  FIP Silver Narbonne in 2025 The Ukrainian woman was back in Aude this year with her partner  Vladyslava Zanosiienko . A return full of symbolism since it was precisely in Narbonne that the two players had played their very first tournament together… and even their first professional padel competition.

Twelve months later, progress is already visible.

“Last year was our very first match together in padel. This year, we managed to get through a round. It’s our padel anniversary, and naturally, we can already see the difference.”

Although the final result was an elimination against a pair well established on the FIP circuit, the two Ukrainians leave with many confidence levels.

A new life after tennis

Like many players who have recently joined the circuit, Kateryna and Vladyslava come from tennis. But their paths are not exactly the same.

"Vladyslava only played tennis. For my part, I played tennis for about twenty years before spending five or six years on the beach tennis circuit. Today, I try to put all this experience to use in padel."

For Kateryna, padel is now a true passion, even if the reality of daily life imposes certain limits.

"I have two children, and I also work. We can't play as many tournaments as professional players. For now, our primary goal is to have fun while continuing to improve."

This progress is, in fact, what motivates the Ukrainian pair the most.

"At each tournament, we feel like we're learning something new. That's what motivates us to keep going."

Two cities, one shared ambition

Both based in Catalonia, Kateryna lives in Barcelona while Vladyslava resides in Lloret de Mar.

They are an hour's drive apart.

"It's not ideal for training together, but it's not an obstacle either. We do our best to meet up regularly."

However, the two players have known each other for much longer.

“We’ve known each other for about fifteen years through tennis. However, we had never played doubles together. In the end, it was padel that brought us together.”

Tennis helps… but it also forces you to relearn everything.

The debate often comes up: do former tennis players have an advantage in padel?

For Kateryna, the answer is nuanced.

“Of course tennis helps. You already have the reflexes, the ball control, the competitive experience. But you also have to unlearn a lot of things. For twenty years, we're taught to go for every ball. In padel, sometimes you have to let it go all the way to the glass. Changing these automatic responses takes time.”

His experience in beach tennis also gives him some advantages.

"The back-and-forth movements are more like beach tennis, and running on the sand helps physically. But if I had to choose just one sport to prepare for padel, I'd still say tennis."

“We love the hardest path”: one year later, Kateryna Yegoreychenko reflects on the journey

A lesson learned in the face of the very highest level.

In Narbonne, the Ukrainians were able to measure the gap that still separates them from the best players on the FIP circuit.

An experience they consider above all as a tremendous source of learning.

"What impressed us most wasn't even the speed of the ball. It was their speed of movement. We barely had time to think about where to play before the opponents were already at the net."

The other difference is immediately obvious.

“Even when we executed a good lob, they found a way to attack. Where most players would simply return the ball, they were already able to take the initiative. We had never played against players like them.”

A difficult confrontation… but one rich in lessons.

"Now we know exactly what we need to take the next step."

Then, with a burst of laughter, Kateryna concluded ambitiously:

 "Next year... we'll catch them!" 

Choosing the most difficult path

While some players choose less competitive tournaments to more easily accumulate FIP points, Kateryna and Vladyslava have made a different choice.

“We prefer to stay in Spain. The level is much higher there, but it’s also how we’ll progress the fastest. Many players go elsewhere in Europe to look for points. We like the more difficult path.”

The next event is already scheduled: the FIP tournaments in Barcelona. A new challenge for a pair who, a year after their debut in Narbonne, continue to grow at their own pace… without rushing things.

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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