After several months spent at the Nox Future Academy from Barcelona, Yoan Boronad et Timeo Fonteny have decided to return to train in France, on the Palavas side, at the My Center Academy. A considered decision, far from any renunciation, but on the contrary motivated by a desire for individualization and more targeted supervision. The two young talents discuss their motivations, their time in Spain and their ambitions through this new project carried out alongside Yannick Maurel… and of Ben Tison.

Franck Binisti: What were the main factors that influenced your decision to leave the NFA? ?

Yoan Boronad : First, we're not leaving the NFA completely. We're on very good terms with them, and we might go back there from time to time, for a few weeks, to train.
The main reason for our departure is that Timéo and I feel we need more individualization. The NFA is exceptional for pace and sparring, but we're just one player among many.
And then, in Barcelona, ​​we really missed personalized medical monitoring.

Franck Binisti: What struck you most during your time at the Nox Future Academy?

Timeo Fonteny : The most memorable moment was undoubtedly when we had the chance to train with Tapia. It made us realize how far we still have to go.

Ben Tison and Yannick Maurel to guide Boronad / Fonteny
Ben Tison and Yannick Maurel to guide Boronad / Fonteny

Franck Binisti: How would you describe the atmosphere at the Nox Future Academy?

Timeo Fonteny : The atmosphere at home was very good, everyone gets along well, it's great.
But sometimes we also wanted peace and quiet, to go to bed early, to cook... Simple things that we couldn't really do while living in a community.
This is also a small reason for our departure.

Franck Binisti: Why did you choose the My Center Academy?

Yoan Boronad : For the past few months, we've felt like we've stagnated a bit. Timéo and I have been thinking together about what could help us make further progress, while still being surrounded by trustworthy and competent people.
We immediately thought of the My Center Academy. Yannick has been accompanying us to tournaments for a while now, coaching us occasionally, and we get along very well with him.
We are convinced that if he decides to fully commit to the project, he is the right person for us. We offered him the opportunity, and he immediately accepted.
We want to thank him here: he believes in us, and we believe in him. It's fundamental.
And then, the arrival of Ben Tison at the My Center also changes the situation. Everyone knows his experience, his background, his level of play, which is still very much there!
He can bring us a lot, on the pitch of course, but also off it, particularly in circuit management, etc.

Franck Binisti: So returning to France doesn't mean giving up on a career, but rather seeking to progress even further?

Timeo Fonteny : Exactly. Many people still think that Spain is the country of padel and that you absolutely have to go there to improve. But honestly, what "people" say... we don't care.
Our plan is clear. We've weighed the pros and cons with our mental coach, Pier Gautier, who has been working with us for almost two years, and we believe it's the right choice at the right time.
We are convinced that we can succeed in France, especially surrounded by people like Ben and Yannick, who, in our opinion, have nothing to envy from Spanish coaches.
It's true that there's still a bit of a shortage of sparring in France, but that will come with time. That's also why we're considering returning to the NFA from time to time, to keep up the pace.
Look at Bastien Blanqué: he's been training in Toulouse for a year or two, he's a five-time French champion and around 100th in the world... all while remaining in France, at home, in an environment that suits him.
And this is not an isolated case: we can also cite Thomas Vanbauce, Jo Bergeron, etc.

Franck Binisti: Do you think the training methods at the My Center Academy will help you reach a new level? If so, how?

Yoan Boronad : I think Yannick and Ben have a lot to offer us, especially when it comes to team play.
Timéo and I are very close in life, like brothers. We play together all the time, but we haven't yet managed to reach our best level together at the same time.
I'm convinced that training as a duo, with people focused on us and our playing identity, can really help us move forward.

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.

On the same subject

Tags