Padel, for once, has left the court floor to reach for the stars. This week, Guillaume Le Floch, a member of the 4PADEL network, had a rare experience: a zero-gravity flight aboard the Airbus A310 of Air Zero G, operated by Novespace.

Alongside him was a distinguished guest: Jean-François Clervoy, a French astronaut who participated in three space missions with NASA.

A padel ball in zero gravity

Taking advantage of this exceptional opportunity, Guillaume Le Floch did not hesitate to embark with him… a padel ball.

During simulated weightlessness phases, the aircraft reproduces the microgravity conditions experienced in orbit. For a few seconds, gravity disappears. Bodies float. Reference points vanish.

It was in these suspended moments that a 4PADEL ball literally evolved in zero gravity — probably one of the first padel balls to experience such an event.

An original and symbolic way to take padel beyond traditional courts.

An immersive experience that brings you as close as possible to the sensations of astronauts.

The flight offered by Air Zero G by Novespace is part of a scientific and educational framework. The Airbus A310 used for these missions is a true laboratory aircraft, usually used for scientific experiments requiring microgravity conditions.

For Guillaume Le Floch, this initiation was marked by:

  • the discovery of the sensations of weightlessness,
  • an intense adrenaline rush,
  • a feeling of self-improvement,
  • and privileged exchanges with Jean-François Clervoy, whose space experience brought an additional dimension to the adventure.

"To get a glimpse — or rather, to float — of what astronauts feel in orbit," he confides, evoking a mixture of wonder and pure pleasure.

4PADEL, a wink in the sky

This zero-gravity flight also became a nod to 4PADEL, with this symbolic ball sent into the air for a few seconds of weightlessness.

An operation that is both unconventional and inspiring, illustrating padel's ability to break out of its usual framework and appear where it is not expected.

One thing is certain: padel continues to explore new horizons — even suspended, at several thousand meters altitude.

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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