Always innovative and dynamic, the tennis club and padel My Center in Palavas-les-Flots prepares us for an incredible month of May, with more than ten tournaments between the 1st and the 26th of the month.

Men's tournaments, mixed tournaments, a ladies' tournament, two young boys' and girls' tournaments (U14 and U18), P25s, P100s, P250s: there will really be something for everyone on the six courts (and very soon eight) of the avenue de l'Abbé Brocardi.

Maybe a first

Among these tournaments, one of them particularly caught our attention, because it is perhaps a first: a tournament played diagonally, not with four but with two players. Inevitably, this tournament, organized on Saturday May 20, will not be approved because the FFT does not plan anything like this in terms of padel.

But the idea has something to seduce, as we are told Francois Lorenzo, the club's umpire: “We are thinking of making two progressive tables. The matches will be played in the form of a ten-point super tie-break, except for the final, which will a priori be a set of six games if we have time.

Participants will be the 30 highest ranked registrants. They will pay a registration fee of between €3 and €5: this will constitute the pot promised to the winner.

“The seeds 15 to 30 compete in a first table of 16 with start in line over four rounds: 1/8th, 1/4, 1/2 and final. The two finalists are qualified and join the 14 highest ranked players in the final table, which will decide a winner. We are launching the concept, which is just waiting to be improved.”

Good physical condition required

Playing two diagonally – changing the diagonal at each point – is an exercise already practiced by players who train and want to progress. This requires good physical condition, because inevitably, you play 100% of the balls instead of hitting one in two. Experimenting with this formula is a concept that may appeal to those who struggle to get along with their partner or those who never feel responsible for losing. Another interest: learning to play both forehand side and backhand side.

And why not one day approved diagonal tournaments?

‌The list and dates of the May tournaments in Palavas:

Inquire by email: mycenterpalavas@gmail.com

After 40 years of tennis, Jérôme falls into the pot of padel in 2018. Since then, he thinks about it every morning while shaving… but never shaves pala in hand! Journalist in Alsace, he has no other ambition than to share his passion with you, whether you speak French, Italian, Spanish or English.

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