Audrey Casanova and Laura Clergue, The very recent French champions of padel 2015 look back on their career and their European ambitions next December.

Padel Magazine (PM) - The French championships of padel were a goal for you. Relieved?

Audrey Casanova (CA) - We are delighted. The final stages were complicated and we found the weapons to go to the end.

PM - You clearly displayed your ambitions a few weeks ago. Is this positive pressure?

Laura Clergue (LC) - I think it is mainly the work that has paid off. We knew our main opponents and we therefore worked towards this objective. Today, we are doing very well. There is another reason for our hopes: harmony in the team. With Audrey, we get along very well and I think it shows on the ground.

PM - You have a different route in the padel. Laura, you entered the world of padel that for 1 year. Did Jérôme Shoeffer play an important role in helping you get there?

AC - Of course work has played a role. The Set Club has been our base for 1 year with Laura. We worked almost every day. And it's also true that I play padel for a lot longer than Laura, but in the end it's a very balanced team. We never tire. It's a huge passion. With training 1 or 2 times a week and almost daily matches.

LC - I play padel especially for 1 year. But once we said with Audrey, we want to do something good, we just started playing every day. We owe a lot to Jérôme Shoeffer, our coach at the Set Club d'Aix. It's been 1 year taking care of us and the results are there. I remind you that we have been playing for 1 year almost 6 days a week when it is not every day of the week ...

PM - You both have your own shots. Audrey the Bandejas and Laura a very good smash…

AC - Yet much remains to be done. But it's true that I like this shot. We will continue our training and certainly go to Spain to improve.

LC - First the smash, I think it starts from a lack of subtlety in the game. But it has become a weapon. Women don't necessarily hit hard and suddenly, it's a plus in the team. There is the subtlety with Audrey and the finish with me.

PM - Soon the European Championships. Have you ever made a plan?

LC - I'm going! There is no way. Audrey absolutely has to come. (to laugh)

AC - But I'm going too! It's great to be able to participate in the European Championships. We are very motivated. And to go with the men who are part of the same league, it's just extra.

LC - There will be a very good atmosphere, we know our counterparts in men very well. We will do everything to do something good there.

Interviewed by Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.

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