The European Association of Clubs Padel continues its development and announces the arrival of  Matthieu Pettinotti  among its ambassadors. A strategic boost to structure the growth of padel in Western France, as the sport continues to gain ground throughout the country.

 A profile stemming from tennis and competitive sports 

Originally from Nantes,  Matthieu Pettinotti  has a solid sporting background.
“I started competitive sports very young, playing tennis from the age of 5 in La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, a sport that stayed with me for many years and in which I reached the ranking of  2/6  and played at the national level with Don Bosco, before also practicing other sports such as football, surfing, running, etc. »

This journey has allowed him to evolve in different environments and to better understand the  sporting and administrative challenges of clubs .

 The padel bug bit in Montpellier 

As he approached his 30th birthday, he chose to change his field of study.
“I discovered padel in 2022 and was immediately hooked, especially when I lived in Montpellier: I was drawn to this sport by its side  tactical, collective and strategic "Where you really play as a team. It's true that Occitanie is the heartland of French padel, both because of its history and because of the players' enthusiasm for this sport."

 Rapid but still fragile development 

His analysis of the growth of padel is clear:
“Today, I am convinced that padel is rapidly becoming more accessible in Europe, and in France in particular, with a momentum that is gradually spreading from South to North. In my region of  Pays de la Loire "I sense a real enthusiasm surrounding this sport, with a gradual development of infrastructure that is beginning to meet a rapidly growing demand."

He also emphasizes the economic balance of the sector:
“In my opinion, the padel economy currently rests on a balance that is still  fragile but very dynamic "Driven by the strong growth in the creation of predominantly private clubs, closely linked to equipment manufacturers, who play a key role in the development strategy of these structures."

 A commitment within theAECP 

His meeting with the European Association of Clubs Padel This took place during the Padel Conference in Paris.
"I met theAECP during the Assizes of Padel In Paris, a meeting that strengthened my desire to get involved. To become an ambassador for the  Pays de la Loire and Brittany  This aligns with my desire to be involved in the development of padel in France and to contribute to the growth of my region, which is still lagging behind areas like Île-de-France or the South.

 Making the West a land of padel 

Back in Nantes, Matthieu Pettinotti has a clear ambition:
"I am committed to promoting my region at national and international events so that it becomes a  A must-visit destination for padel The International Club Cup Padel "For me, Malaga represents the perfect synthesis of what this sport embodies: conviviality, sportsmanship, diversity and accessibility, offering amateur players the opportunity to live a unique experience in an exceptional setting."

 Understanding history to build the future 

Aware of the structural challenges, he insists on the need to draw on the history of sport:
“I know part of the history of padel, from its origins in Mexico and during the Assises du Padel In Paris, I met the "dinosaur of French padel," which helped me better understand the reasons for padel's rise in Spain, where it is now deeply rooted in the sporting culture.

He also sees further ahead:
"His integration into  2027 European Games  "This is, in my view, a strong sign of its development, and I am convinced that this sport will become increasingly exciting to watch as the level of other nations, and in particular that of France, approaches that of Spanish and Argentinian players."

Padel confirmed for the 2027 European Games: a new step towards the Olympic Games

Matthieu Pettinotti will also represent his region at the  International Club Cup Padel (CICP) 2026 scheduled from October 8 to 11 in Malaga, with two selections from Pays de la Loire and Brittany.

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