At the Pyramids Club,  Adrien Maigret  takes an in-depth look at the latest padel news, playing conditions, equipment developments, FFT figures, and also his personal goals on the eve of the start of the FIP Silver Narbonne. An unfiltered interview with a passionate, committed and lucid player.

 Playing conditions in Bordeaux: a good balance 

"I commented on the P2 in Bordeaux yesterday on Canal+. The  playing conditions  are for once rather good. It's quite balanced, even rather slow, which allows you to see the whole  variety of padel We see play, construction, which is essential. So, that doesn't stop the big smashers from hitting well. But in any case, we see padel, we see all the variety of padel."

"What worries me a little are the other tournaments like  Valladolid , where the conditions are extremely fast, where it's very difficult to make a break. We see smashes being hit, volleys being slammed, but not really any padel tactics. I hope we'll react to that, because padel is getting faster and faster, with  increasingly lively balls . And I think it should be  regulate this  »

 Regulate rackets and balls 

"Sanyo had suggested a solution: enlarging the field, raising the gates to go from 3 to 4 meters. He believes that it would take  full 4 meters  everywhere on the track. Today, we are only 4 meters apart in certain places. But I don't agree with this proposal."

"I think amateur players want to have the same court as professionals. And we can't have two different courts. Going to 4 meters for amateurs would be too difficult. Some people already have trouble making par 3s. When learning padel, when a student makes their first par 3, it's a huge satisfaction. And at 4 meters, it would be almost impossible for many levels."

"My solution would be to  regulate rackets and balls . It's not regulated enough today. It's a sport that's evolving, but without sufficient regulation. The balls, in particular, have changed enormously. When I started in 2016, they were nothing like the ones we have today.

"At the time of the World Padel Tour, we played with the  Head Pro ,  Head Pro S There was already a huge difference between the two. These balls were created to compensate for altitude conditions or to adapt to women's play. Today, women often play with the S, and men with the Pro. This is good because it balances things out a bit. But the problem is that now, all brands offer balls that are too fast.

"Even in  P2000 , this year, over the four stages, it wasn't padel. I played in Aix-en-Provence, we made the final with Yann Auradou. The first matches were played without a kickout, with Wilson balls Premier Padel. It wasn't padel. In the eighth and quarterfinals, there wasn't a single vibora, not a single bandera. There were only smashes.

"In all brands, there is one ball slower than another. But even the slowest today is still too fast. And what we like about padel is the  costs , the appearance  tactic , the  exchanges . Not just smashes all over the place, without variety.

"For me, we need to regulate rackets and balls: limit their power, control the pressure, the material. I'm no expert, but I can see that all balls are too lively."

 Padel figures in France: lacking precision 

"I saw the FFT's communication on the  100 padel licensees . It's minimized. There's a lot more. With the license  multi-rackets , we are well over 250.

"For years, the FFT has never really communicated on padel figures. This is the first time there has been a real display. But 100 is symbolic. We are closer to the  300 to 000  »

"I have a multi-racket license. My main activity today is padel. But by default, we often remain classified as tennis, because no one takes the step to change. However, there are  1,2 million FFT licensees . And these 1,2 million include all sports: tennis, padel, beach tennis, pickleball…”

"We need to stop differentiating between sports. We are one  family . Clubs are increasingly  multi-rackets . We need to communicate the overall figure. Perhaps one day the federation will change its name, like in Italy with “Tennis & Padel"That would be a good thing."

 A clear ambition for the French team 

" My  primary objective  This year, it's the French national team. I missed the selection last year for the birth of my daughter. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one. This year, I'm here. And I want  performer  »

Pablo Ayma appreciates my profile. He knows that I excel in team matches. I've always had that mindset. I come from an atypical background. When I started, we played in sheds. It was at the very beginning of padel. Very few of us even knew that the sport existed. Compared to today, obviously, there was a form of amateurism. I never dreamed at the time that padel would become my life. So today, every selection, every jersey, is a  chance  »

“The competition is increasing. Robert, Basso, they are good players. They beat me this year. But in a  international competition , experience counts. You have to be good on the field, but also mentally strong. The training camp is a key moment. Those who shine will be taken on."

 The absence of Thomas Leygue: a real loss 

"It's not a joy for me. He's a friend, an exceptional player. He's our number 1. I hope he can be there, even injured, to support the team. Like Scatena did. We have to think about our elders, continue to make room for them, even off the pitch."

 The FIP Silver Narbonne: targeted preparation 

"I play the FIP of  Narbonne with Nicolas Rouanet I want to play on the left because I'm preparing for the training camp. With Scatena, I'd be on the right, it's not consistent. I think I'm a better left-wing player. We already have players on the right. My goal is to perform well.

 My ideal selection for the French team 

 On the right: 

  • Johan Bergeron
  • Dylan Guichard
  • Benjamin Tison
  • Maxime Joris or Yoan Boronad

 On the left: 

  • There are the obvious ones, namely Bastien Blanqué and Timéo Fonteny.

And then there are the players who stand out, namely:

  • Maxime Forcin / Manu Vives / Me

"Boronad is gaining momentum. He could deserve a spot. We have to take  the best , regardless of their FIP schedule.”

"As for combinations, anything is possible. Bergeron can play on the left. Joris too, although I think he's better on the right. There are plenty of options. The puzzle will be harder on the left than on the right."

"Even though Jérémie Robert and Thomas Basso beat me this year, I think they should take advantage of this training camp to gain experience."

 French Championships: What about Bastien Blanqué? 

"If Thomas Vanbauce is injured,  Bastien and Johan Bergeron  Together, they would be the best pair. Otherwise, I'd be happy to play with Bastien. I'll move back to the right if necessary. I'll make arrangements with Scatena."

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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