There are players who give themselves up easily and others who prefer to let their game do the talking. Charlotte Soubrié, member ofFrench padel team since 2019, is part of this second category. At almost 36 years old, the 162th player in the world, originally fromAlbi, must fight one of her biggest battles: being interviewed by Padel Magazine.

To get to know her better, we were able to talk with her about her career, her discretion, her commitment to the national team and her balance between professional life and competition.

A discreet player (it depends…), but a strong competitor

You are perhaps the most discreet player on the circuit, despite your status in the French team. Why this reserve?

Let's say I prefer to express myself On Tracks rather than in front of a microphone! Afterwards, look, I happily responded to your request! I don't feel the need for people to talk about me. I prefer to talk about my performances. rather than other extra-sporting aspects.

But outside of padel, I am a good living, a epicurean ! A little wink to my great friend Nanny, who will recognize himself.

“A shell that I built for myself”

We have already mentioned your tennis career. Can you tell us more about this experience which seems to have marked your character?

I left my parents' house very early, 12 years, to integrate the Roland-Garros CNE up to my 17 years. An experience enriching and difficult at the same time. Being away from your loved ones at such a young age builds character. Between performances and disappointments, you have to learn to moving forward despite obstacles.

This journey helped me understand that I am more fulfilled in a team sport. I like to share moments, to fight for my teammates. This discretion that you speak of is also a shell that I built for myself.

I also experienced a very difficult episode: 17 years, I had to testify at the Assizes in a case where the father of a player drugged his children's opponents. I have been there victims. An extremely difficult moment, but one that is part of my history.

Fortunately, I am lucky to have parents who have always supported me, just like my big brother Thibault, with whom I am very close… even if he gives me a hard time during jogging! It must be said that he is a physical trainer, among other things.

A place in the French team still at stake

Today, you are a key member of the French team. Do you consider yourself an essential player?

You know me, I will never say that my place is secured ! The level is constantly rising, and that's a very good thing for padel.

There is Louise Bahurel, a promising young player, Marie-Amelie Dardaine who is coming back from injury, Nada Majdoubi, with whom I often train. Not forgetting Lou Lambert Agosti and Kimy Barla, who invest a lot. It is a real challenge of being jostled, but that's what makes high level exciting: to constantly question oneself.

Strong memories with the French team

Do you have any memorable anecdotes with the French team, positive or more complicated?

The strongest memories remain the bronze medal at the European ChampionshipsWe almost beat the Italians in the semi-final, but despite the disappointment, we managed to remobilise to go and get this coveted medal.

Les Bleues won the bronze medal!

An anecdote? During our first meeting in Cagliari, the team tells me: “Come on Sousou, give the war cry!” At one point I was supposed to say “When I say go, you say France!”, but no one reacted… In fact, I never said “go” ! Needless to say, I was teased after that.

On the negative side, our quarter-final defeat during the last World Championships was a big slapIt took us a while to get over it, but we stayed. welded Nevertheless.

A nod also to the girls of the Team Senior+, who have integrated me really well this year. A memorable memory !

A balance between sport and professional life

You are sometimes criticized for not participating enough in international events. Is this a choice?

Yes, and I fully accept it. I am not 100% in a padel project, but it's my life balance and I am fine like this. I organize myself to play FIP tournaments, but I can't be on all fronts all the time.

Quick start in padel

How did you discover padel and feel that you had potential?

I started hitting a few balls in 2018, in my club of Stade Toulousain, where land had just been built on. I really started in 2019, well surrounded by Maryline Lafouresse and Marianne Vandaele, who had been playing for longer. Then everything happened in quick succession: first training course with the French team in 2019then first selection at the end of the year.

Lafouresse / Soubrié and Tap / Planes win the Padel Infinity du Mas

How long after your debut did you join the French team?

I was selected for the first time at the end of 2019 for European Championships in Italy. Then there was the Covid, but I came back in 2021 for Europe and the World Championships of the same year.

A left-footed player, but above all a competitor

Who do you enjoy playing with the most?

I like playing with everyone, but there are definitely some special affinities. Alix Collombon, with whom I had the chance to play in the French team, Léa Godallier, with whom I won the P2000 from La Rochelle and disputed the Premier Padel from Bordeaux.

Right or left, it doesn't matter. I have a preference for the left side, but as long as I'm on the field, I'm happy!

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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