La  French Tennis Federation  has a new  National Technical Director Didier Retière was appointed to this key position by the Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life,  Marie Barsacq , on the proposal of the FFT and after favorable opinion of the National Sports Agency This arrival marks a turning point for all federal disciplines, including the  associated practices such as padel , booming in France.

 A rigorous selection process 

The recruitment of the DTN followed a  structured and transparent process , started in January 2025. Of the eight applications received following the ministry's call for applications, seven were deemed admissible. The FFT then pre-selected six profiles from the  state executives , whether internal or external to the Federation.

A committee of elected officials and senior executives conducted interviews to assess the  skills , the  Vision  and the  experiment  candidates. Two finalists were interviewed by a joint committee comprising representatives from the ministry, the National Sports Agency, and the president of the FFT. The final choice fell on Didier Retière, who was approved by the minister.

 A mission in the service of federal sport… and padel 

The National Technical Director will be responsible for  manage the FFT's sports policy , in line with the State's guidelines and the Federation's objectives. It will be responsible in particular for:

  • Define the strategy of  high performance  for all disciplines;
  • Supervise technical teams and  French team training sessions  ;
  • Develop the  licensed practice  and strengthen training and detection systems;
  • Promote values ​​of integrity  and fight against violence;
  • Contribute to structuring developing disciplines such as  paddle , the  paratennis , the  pickleball  or  Beach tennis .

Didier Retière will rely on the teams in place to  promote the development of all practices supported by the FFT , taking into account their specificity.

 An experienced profile from rugby 

Originally from the world of rugby, Didier Retière has a  solid experience in structuring and sports management . Former National Technical Director of the  French Rugby Federation  (2014-2022), he also held the position of  director of sports development  within the ASM Clermont Auvergne club.

He was at the origin of several major reforms:  reorganization of the high-level access pathway , transformation of federal training, or even launching programs such as  “Rugby Well Played” . Trained at INSEP  and holder of a  DESS in Sports Training and Management , he is recognized for his ability to mobilize teams around a collective project.

 A focus on openness and innovation 

The FFT, through the voice of its president  Gilles Moreton , welcomed this appointment as a  strategic advance The objective is clear: to surround yourself with strong managerial profiles, capable of  promote federal disciplines , whose  paddle , in full development in the territory.

Didier Retière himself has shown his desire to  rely on internal skills  and to meet local stakeholders to carry out a common ambition. His cross-functional experience could offer a  new impetus for French padel , in a context where the discipline is gaining in structure and visibility across the world.

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