Second part from our interview with the President of the American Padel Tour, Fabrice Pastor. He looks back on the reasons that led him to return to the padel. Without detour, he denounces according to him “some drifts of World Padel Tour that hurt padel".

The first part of the interview: HERE.

  • 2 years ago you said that the padel, it was over. And here you are again ...

It was a complicated time. I would even say a disillusionment. I was in pain for the project I was carrying but also and especially for some players who paid for their freedom to think in 2019 for supporting me.

The APT is the opposite of what the European professional circuit is. Because precisely, we bet on the freedom of the players and on the quality of our tests. We force people to come and play on our circuit.

I was very touched by the actions of some. And I told myself that it didn't deserve the trouble that I invest myself so much for that.

It seems that there are only fools who do not change their minds. And then, you know how passionate I am about this sport. I had great support like that of the President of the Mexican Federation, Omar Villavicencio, now vice-president of the CAPF and the APT.

  • When you say players who paid for their freedom of thought, what exactly do you mean?

I will not name the players who supported me 2 years ago to see the International Padel Tour take off in 2018. I can't, it would be embarrassing them.

On the other hand, I can tell you that I am scandalized by the methods of World Padel Tour.

The players who supported the International Padel Tour paid 12% fine on the winnings won in 2019. Do you realize the scandal?

And to return to the previous question, I am surprised not to see professional players react to all of this.

And precisely, with the Amercian Padel Turn, I want to put an end to this system. I can already tell you that WPT players of Latin American origin are asking themselves questions about the relevance of going to Europe when they have a professional circuit at home.

We even have European players who are thinking of trying the adventure in America.

  • APT outside America, possible?

Everything is possible. And we already have requests, including in Europe. The APT aims to become a very large professional circuit. And this is already the case in America. With our work, the investment, the group that there is, everything is possible because we think above all of the interest of the players.

  • Can the APT become this great global benchmark when we saw the FIP and the WPT come together last year…

Thanks for asking me this question. I'll answer you with another question: Don't you find this rapprochement between the FIP and the WPT suspicious now?

I set up the APT. And now they agree. You would have thought it was a good thing. But it is unfortunate when we know the reasons.

Let's not play hypocrites, these two institutions have always been in conflict. The FIP is mired in its institutional problems, the WPT wants to react to prevent the circuit from disappearing like the Padelpro Tower.

They are therefore trying to find a parade against the APT. But the good news is that I scare them. Once again.

  • Can we not say that the merger of the world ranking for example between the FIP and the WPT is a good thing?

IF it is positive for the padel and for the players, so much the better. I am sorry here for the contours and the extra-sporting reasons for this rapprochement between the FIP and the WPT. If the fact of having created the APT makes it possible to move the lines in Europe, it is already a victory for me.

Sorry to make this parallel with my adventure with L'International Padel Tower. But it reminds me of the time the World Padel Tour had to give in and give the players a little more because I wanted to start IPT. Even though, I couldn't make it to the end, I'm in a sense happy that the players were able to push the WPT to get more through IPT.

You know, just because professional players in Europe don't have to be silent or face fines, doesn't mean they're blind.

The difference is that the APT is a reality. The circuit is launched and nothing will be able to stop it. There is room for everyone. Come and taste the American Padel Tour.

  • Another subject is rising in Argentina: it is America Padel Tour created by Argentinian Lisandro Borges

Lisandro Borges is close to the World Padel Tour. No need to go further in the explanations it seems to me.

Once again, they are trying to put obstacles in my way. How sad ! Can you leave me alone and think about the padel ?

I would just like to recall that the only President of the Argentine Federation of padel is Oscar Nicastro.

In Argentina, we signed with the AJPP (Associación de Jugadores Profesionales de Padel) chaired by Mariano Lasaigues (the new Director General of the APT) and with the APA (Associación de Padel Argentina).

In addition, it is the APA which is recognized by the International Federation of Padel until proven otherwise.

So everything is fine with Argentina.

  • We finish with the Master of Acalpulco, the test will be played during the day?

For Acapulco we have a close relationship with the Pegaso Group, which is the organizer of the APT 500 in Acapulco. The tennis tournament being played in the evening, we will play between 9:00 a.m. and 18:00 p.m. padel.

Read the first part of the interview HERE

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.