Carla Touly: “Spain is still ten years ahead of the rest of Europe”

La France confirmed its place among the best nations on the continent by becoming vice-champion of Europe during the first edition of the Euro Padel Cup Final 8 2025While the silver medal rewards a great campaign, the Blues know that there is still a gap to bridge with Spain.
In an interview with our Spanish colleagues from Vibora Padel, Carla Toully provides a clear assessment of the competition, discusses the differences in level between nations, and shares his vision for the future of French padel.

“Jessica always knew how to find the right words”

This edition will be marked by the last participation of Jessica Ginier in the French team, an emblematic figure of French padel.

“The European Championships were very emotional, especially with Jessica's recent participation, as she has been a mainstay for years. Even though she wasn't captain, she always had the right words for others,” emphasizes Carla Touly.

“Against Spain, it was our final”

For the Frenchwoman, the semi-final against Belgium was already a final in itself.

“Spain is unbeatable, even when the best are not present. They still have between 5 and 10 years in advance before they were really bothered in the European Championships.”

According to Carla, Italy could soon come to disturb the hierarchy:

“The Italian team is perhaps better equipped than ours to compete, because it has more young people close to the top level.”

“Spanish women are natural window cleaners.”

The French player highlights an essential technical aspect which still separates the nations:

“The big difference between playing with a French player and a Spanish player is managing the windows. For the Spanish, it's natural. In France, Italy, or Portugal, many girls have more difficulty because they come from a tennis background.”

Carla believes that the future of French women's padel depends on a training from a young age :

“We need future generations to come directly from padel, without going through tennis. That's how we'll bridge the gap, even if it takes time.”

“The boys are a little ahead of the girls.”

In terms of development, Carla observes a different dynamic between the two circuits:

“I think we currently have more potential among men than among women. But the opening of new clubs like Vichy and the democratization of padel in France are positive signals.”

"At Premier Padel, the game is slower”

A regular at international tournaments, Carla highlights a difference between the circuits:

“The game is slower in Premier Padel that on the FIP Tour, especially because of the less sandy tracks. I'm working to make rallies last longer and find a balance between my attack, which is my strength, and patience in building points.”

“I don’t want to set ranking goals anymore.”

After a tennis career, Carla changed her mental approach:

“In tennis, I had set myself the goal of joining the Top 100 worldwide, and I think it was precisely this pressure that blocked me. Today, I no longer want to set myself numerical goals. I prefer to move forward step by step.”

“Roland and Rome will always remain special”

“My favorite tennis tournaments were Roland Garros et RomeI have a special connection with Rome because I lived there for two years to train. These are memories that will always stay with me.”

“Being French is an advantage”

From a marketing perspective, Carla recognizes that her nationality can be an asset:

“Being French is a real advantage compared to some of the higher-ranked Spanish companies. The French market is of great interest to brands and is increasingly structured around padel.”

“I don’t see myself as a coach, but I want to stay in padel”

Finally, the European vice-champion is already looking ahead to her post-career:

“I don't see myself as a coach, but I would like to stay in padel. I would like to contribute to its development, why not by organizing training courses or tournaments. "

Pierre Guille Sanchez

Amateur player from the south of France and passionate about Padel with a particular focus on the women's circuit.