Carla Touly: “Do everything to go as far as possible”

Former tennis player, Carla Touly (n ° 52 France), 26 years old, was contaminated by the padel. Today, she lives in Barcelona, hosted by her friend Alix Collombon to soak up the culture padelSpanish istic. Tennis is behind her, a new page is being written with the padel.

Tennis, a formative adventure

I will always keep myself from my tennis adventure these 20 years of happiness. There have been ups (many) and downs (a few) of course, but if I had to do it again I wouldn't hesitate for a second. Tennis has been for me the best school of life and beyond the sport itself and the victories/defeats, it has brought me golden people. I also had the chance to go to the United States. Combining tennis with studies, all in English, was a real daily challenge, but the human adventure was just incredible. I made lifelong friends and learned and grew a lot.

The Covid was a setback

Coming back from the United States, I wanted to try the tennis circuit again, but unfortunately after two months of ground preparation, the Covid arrived when I was about to start my first match in Mexico. During the first confinement I continued to train physically but I also had time to think a lot about my future. I realized that I wanted to discover different things from the world of sport that I already knew very well. After a few months of reflection, I had a click and I decided to leave tennis to launch myself into the business world where I had everything to discover.

For two years I had several jobs, mainly in marketing/communication/translation. At the beginning I loved going to the office, having schedules, having a salary… then very quickly I found that this life was much too stable. And above all, I didn't take well to being locked up all day without being able to exert myself physically. It was then that I discovered the padel, and I started playing it with friends to let off steam after work.

Le padel, a mixed first memory

The first few times I really didn't catch on, I found it frustrating and above all I didn't understand how anyone could dare to compare this sport to tennis.. I remember sending a message to Alix Collombon (my childhood tennis friend) telling her that I would never play padel and that she made fun of me by telling me that over time I would become addicted. She hadn't been wrong after all!

Barcelona, the trigger

In June 2022 I took a week off to see Alix in Barcelona to attend his training but also to participate in it. I understood that I absolutely did not know how to play padel and it made me want to learn. All summer I played with friends and I decided to return to Alix for two months in September 2022, then two, then three…and I'm still there.

Here there are at least 5 clubs/academies with more than 10 tracks in each of them within 10min from the house. It's really easy to find a field, a coach or three partners to organize a match. There are also Catalan tournaments every weekend with an excellent level of play. Everything is really available to train well and progress. And I'm really lucky to have Alix who gives me all the best addresses.

A new page is written with the padel

I was persuaded to stop in December after three months because I didn't want to get back on the circuit. Because even if I loved this life with tennis, I also know what it takes and how difficult it is every day.

And then in December I really didn't want to leave… I knew that if I didn't try I was going to regret it this is why two years after tennis I decided to relaunch myself 100% in a real project in 2023 with a new coach Nico Gavino, physical preparation and international tournaments.

Tennis and the marathon as a basis for learning

Technically I think the volley helps me a lot. On a physical level I was not bad in defense and even if at the padel with the windows it's completely different, I think I move well and my past as a tennis marathon runner helps me a lot. And after all that is the management of matches, emotions and the agreement with the partner, the experience gained in tennis is also useful to me.

2023, a decisive year

My two expectations this season are to continue to have as much fun on the court in matches et to progress every day in training. In terms of objectives I will do everything to go as far as possible in the tables on the international circuit, we will see where that will take me.

As far as results are concerned I'm happy to have already had some motivating first victories, but the most important thing for now is the way I progress every day in training and I am very satisfied with the daily work with Nico Gavino.

A memorable memory Bordeaux P2000 with Charlotte Soubrié

This tournament with Charlotte was great both on and off the court. We played together for the first time two days before the tournament and it clicked straight away. We have the same mentality on the court and fighting alongside him is pure luck and pure pleasure.. The harder it is, the more we hang on and the more fun we have, it's so good with her.

When it came to the eighth round win against the 1 seed, I really wanted to be up to the task for my partner. The atmosphere was great, there were ups and downs on both sides but we all four fought until the end and I really appreciated the fair play and the kind words of Fiona and Laura at the end of the match, they have class. I'm really proud of us. We managed to "assume" the rest of the tournament and finish in 3rd place. Unfortunately, it didn't go through to the semi-finals against Jess and Lucile but it made us want to go back to work to come back stronger.

Laura Buteau, Marianne Vandaele and Charlotte Soubrié: outstanding partners

Laura made the bet to play with me in September without having the slightest idea of my level. I played my first three tournaments of padel with her and we won all our matches ! I am aware that few players have the chance to start with the French n°13 at their side, I jumped at the opportunity and it went very well! Then I made a P2000 with Marianne Vandaele because his partner was injured and it was also a memorable weekend. And now I start an adventure with Charlotte, I am very lucky. I can't wait to be by her side this year and I really want to win matches/tournaments together that she has never won before. It's a hell of a bet because his track record is impressive, but I'm going to give it my all.

Internationally with Portugal's Catarina Santos (for now)

I invited Catarina to Barcelona to do three days of training when we didn't know each other and it matched very well! We played FIP Rise Isla de la Palma this weekend and we will continue with Beausoleil A1 this week, I can't wait. I will also play FIP and A1 with Charlotte as soon as she can free herself.

Vincent Gallie

A fan of oval football, round ball but also racket sports, he was stung by the padel during his adolescence in Galicia. As comfortable in front of the camera as behind a microphone, Vince will be able to bring his vision and expertise as a fan of the little yellow ball.