FIP Tournament Director , club manager, entrepreneur and “home organizer”, David Mateo has established himself as an essential figure in the European padel . Prime Minister European tournament director At the FIP Tour events, he embodies this generation of organizers capable of managing both the sporting requirement , the logistical pressure and economic reality of an international event.
Between tense backstage dealings, structuring ambitions and long-term vision, a portrait of a man with multiple responsibilities.
Behind the scenes that the public never sees
On the track, the show is smooth. Behind the scenes, the reality is quite different.
"There are so many problems at every tournament... We have to fight to find solutions quickly: the hotel, the food, the transport, the prize money There are so many things to manage, it's crazy. The main thing is that the audience doesn't notice anything and enjoys the show.
One anecdote sums up this reality: the WiFi outage in Marseille .
"The Wi-Fi outage in Marseille was terrible. No sound, no picture, so no scores on the screens, no live streaming… and a lot of grumbling and complaints. It was a difficult moment that was resolved during the day."
Added to this are the unforeseen logistical problems: more players than expected at the airport, insufficient shuttles, Ubers ordered at the last minute. Every detail can become a point of tension.
And yet, there are still human moments.
"One moment that always makes me smile is when I leave a tournament and everyone is shouting 'FRY' hahaha…"
FIP Platinum Marseille: suffering and reveling
Director of FIP Platinum Marseille David Matéo speaks of an intense experience.
"It was an incredible experience. I suffered as much as I enjoyed it. You have to be a bit of a masochist to enjoy being tortured like that."
He left "proud" with "a sense of accomplishment", hoping to be appointed again in 2027.
organize a Platinum has nothing to do with a Bronze , Silver or a Gold .
"The quality of the players changes everything. They are much more demanding. There are already some arrogant players in P25, so in Platinum, I'll let you imagine..."
In Marseille, the urban density This complicated matters: constant traffic jams, a remote airport, and massive arrivals in the first few days. Every journey became an equation.
Alone in charge, at home
Next step: organize a FIP tournament in his own club, being completely in sole control.
"That changes everything. If something stupid is done, it will be my fault and I'll only have myself to blame."
But accumulated experience changes everything.
"Everything is calculated down to the millimeter to ensure everything is perfect." FIP and FFT They trust me 100%, I won't let them down.
At home, he controls the environment.
"Clearly simpler. I'm at home, I won't need to ask permission for anything, while obviously respecting the specifications."
Mentally, however, it's a busy time.
"Right now, I'm completely burned out. Going from 20 years as mayor to entrepreneur "It's not simple, especially when you're betrayed by your own employees, to whom you've given everything."
Strategically, however, there is no doubt: "I know what I have to do."
Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box.Padel From 10 amateur teams to a structured machine
History Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box.Padel It started in 2017, at Five, with an amateur championship of 10 teams.
"At that time, I couldn't imagine everything that would follow. Driven by passion and adversity, my wife and I built a real war machine."
For two years, only friendly tournaments. Then 2019 marked the official turning point: the creation of Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box.Padel , organization of approved tournaments and structured championships.
In July 2025, a new step: the acquisition of the first club at Rivesaltes north of Perpignan.
The project doesn't stop there.
"The biggest project is the construction of our second club in Perpignan South The work will begin in one or two months at the most.
A massive investment.
"He's a monster" 8 million A vision for the future. The objective of perfect club , the ultimate club.
A local FIP: a territorial responsibility
organize a FIP Bronze represents between 40 000 and 50 000 euros A significant commitment, made possible thanks to the support of the main sponsor. Atmosphere Energy .
“Even though it’s expensive, I want to do it here. Padel started here in France, so it’s normal that there’s a international tournament "Here. And if I don't do it, nobody will."
The objective is clear: to attract best French , Spanish thanks to geographical proximity, and to mobilize the Catalan public.
"The stands are there for this kind of event. I hope they'll be full."
Marseille, and then what?
To register a FIP tournament In the long run, it doesn't beat around the bush:
"Especially the partners for both sponsors Money is the foundation of everything.
According to him, the Marseille venue should not change. The public responded enthusiastically. He envisions keeping the Platinum strengthen the economic structure And why not go further?
"Why not a P2 "In Marseille, it's possible given the infrastructure. After that, it's just a question of money."
His ultimate dream?
"Organizing a tournament at Parc des Princes »
This makes it a benchmark tournament
In his view, everything begins with the human being.
"Already the sponsor If you don't have a good promoter, you can't do anything. A good tournament director Hahaha… and then the rest comes naturally.
With the explosion of padel in France He remains convinced of one thing: a well-structured event has every chance of becoming a lasting fixture.
David Mateo is now making progress on several fronts: internationally recognized director , ambitious entrepreneur , locally committed organizer .
A trajectory built on passion, rigor and an ability to absorb pressure.
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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