Drafted at the very last minute to compete in the Betclic Bordeaux qualifiers Premier Padel P2 players Charlotte Soubrié and Fiona Ligi had to improvise their trip before discovering the Bordeaux courts without any real preparation. Between their daily lives as semi-professional players, their ambition to rejoin the French national team, and their desire to continue progressing on the FIP circuit, the two Frenchwomen are pursuing a project built around a balance between high-level sport and professional life. Interview. 

"We discovered the conditions almost as soon as we entered the field."

 Padel Magazine :  How did you find the playing conditions in Bordeaux?

 Fiona Ligi:  We barely had time to train since we were only called up the day before to join the qualifiers. So it was all new to us. We were told the conditions would be rather slow, which suits our style of play quite well. I think that also explains our somewhat timid start to the match, as we needed time to find our bearings.

"Everything was decided in a matter of hours."

 Padel Magazine :  How did this last-minute summons go?

 Charlotte Soubrie:  We got the call in the mid-afternoon the day before. As soon as I had the information, I contacted Fiona. I was about two hours from Bordeaux, but Fiona was in Perpignan. She took the last available train at 17 p.m., and we arrived late that evening. We were mostly just happy to be there and to play a Premier Padel in France.

 Padel Magazine :  You've just returned from Vichy, how did your internship go?

 Charlotte Soubrie:  It's always a pleasure to see the other French players again, as we don't see each other often during the year. It was also an opportunity to discover Juan Alday in his new role as national team coach.

 Fiona Ligi:  We regularly meet at FIP ​​international tournaments, although we sometimes play with other partners. And of course, the French Championships remain an important event.

Charlotte Soubrié and Fiona Ligi: "We want to prove that you can perform well without being full-time players."

"The French national team remains our objective."

 Padel Magazine :  What are your goals this season?

 Charlotte Soubrie:  I think I'm also speaking on behalf of Fiona: our ambition is clearly to get back into the French national team. (Editor's note: Fiona Ligi was not in the French national team last year).

At the same time, we want to achieve the best possible results in FIP tournaments, continue to progress together and seek that place in the national team which is very important to us.

"My first objective has already been achieved."

 Padel Magazine :  Fiona, had you set yourself a ranking goal?

 Fiona Ligi:  Yes. After my injury at the end of last season, my ranking had dropped. My first objective was to reach 220th in the world before July, and I've now done it.

By the end of the season, I'd like to break into the world's Top 200, or even higher if the opportunity arises. For now, I'm staying focused on this year before thinking about next year.

Charlotte Soubrié and Fiona Ligi: "We want to prove that you can perform well without being full-time players."

"We are players who work hard."

 Padel Magazine :  Your daily life is different from that of many players on the circuit…

 Charlotte Soubrie:  Yes, unlike some, we have jobs on the side. We can't train twice a day.

We organize our training sessions according to our schedules, in the evenings, on weekends, or whenever we can. Fiona trains in Perpignan, while I split my time between Toulouse and Biarritz.

 Fiona Ligi:  It's exactly the same for me. I teach, so I have to juggle work, physical training, padel practice, and traveling to tournaments. The whole organization relies on good time management.

"This balance suits us."

 Padel Magazine :  Have you ever considered dedicating yourself solely to padel?

 Charlotte Soubrie:  Personally, no. It's a conscious choice.

I appreciate the balance I've found between my work and sport. Of course, it's not always easy, but it's a lifestyle that suits me perfectly today.

"We favor the international circuit."

 Padel Magazine :  How do you choose your calendar?

 Fiona Ligi:  We mainly compete in FIP international tournaments.

In France, we mainly play P2000 tournaments when they are geographically accessible. Otherwise, we clearly prioritize the international circuit, with the French Championships as our main national event.

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.

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