On the occasion of FIP Rise of Bandol, Benjamin Samat, reality TV candidate, took part in the personalities tournament organized in parallel with the competition on the first day.
He returns, at the microphone of Padel Magazine, about his beginnings in padel and his passion for the sport, as well as the difficulties he encountered at the very beginning.
His story with padel
I have been playing almost every day for two years. However, I have known about padel for 4-5 years. What motivated me to play every day is that I have a friend who lives in Dubai, and we became passionate about padel almost at the same time. We started taking lessons together, we have the same schedule, which means that we can play together every morning. That's how I find myself here today.
I played for the first time and found this sport super fun. I, who have never played tennis, saw that I could progress quickly, the fact of having fun, among four friends, among colleagues, that's what I liked.
From the lawn to the windows
What is hard for us, who have never played tennis or other similar sports, is learning at first to let the ball pass over the glass and anticipate the rebounds. Someone who has played tennis is used to the rotation of the ball: if it hits the ground with a certain rotation, he knows where it will go. Whereas we, who come from football, we don't have this kind of reflex, so it's true that it's a little difficult at the beginning, but ultimately, it gets better with training.
Pleasure above all
We say it to each other every time with my partner Théo (The influencer, Théo Soggiu), as long as we have fun, as we progress, and as long as I feel that I have room for improvement, I will continue. But honestly, there is no goal in sight, I don't tell myself that I want to get into the top 100, etc. I just want to have fun, and as long as I have the condition and I come up against opponents who are also competitive, but above all in a good atmosphere, I will continue to play.
New padel fan, I am fascinated by this dynamic sport that combines strategy and agility. I find in padel a new passion to explore and share with you on Padel Magazine.