Fabrice Pastor, president and founder of A1 Padel, returned for Padel Magazine on the latest burning news: the launch of A1 Padel, the reasons for this change and his feelings about the future.

"A1 Padel : a logical continuation”

"It is the logical continuation of our evolution. With the APT Padel Tower, we have come a long way. Alone against all, we demonstrated that it was possible to offer a major international circuit. A1 Padel is in this dynamic with a new graphic charter, a team that has grown. We went from a small team of 5 people to 16. It shows the ambition, if necessary, of this circuit. "

"It's not really a fresh start. We are in the continuity of the work done so far. In my opinion, you have to see this new name as a new impetus. And then, it must be said, we benefit from precious help from our American friends. They bring a dynamism and a rigor which allow to progress even more quickly."

"Promoters are more and more numerous on A1 Padel. It is enough to note it with the calendar which will be still filled out in the year."

apt padel tour becomes A1padel
APT Padel Turn becomes A1

A new name to be totally free

"We wanted with the agency Infinity sports to move on. I think she guides us almost perfectly. We had a name known all over the world, but very close to tennis with the ATP Tour. And so to avoid any confusion, or end up in a legal battle between ATP / APT, it's very good to leave with something new”.

Cape Town Master A1 Padel
Cap Town will be the first stage of the new A1 circuit next February

“A year that starts with a record”

"We are already starting the year with a record number of participants with this second edition of the stage which takes place in South Africa. We can see it: the partners, the promoters are delighted with this circuit. Every day we have more people interested in the circuit. We do tests in places exceptional. The players obviously give us a great show."

"And we may soon announce new milestones in 2023. And that's not all!"

Helping young players blossom

"Helping young players turn professional is in the DNA of Monte Carlo International Sports.

And A1 Padel will try to help young people. These are young people who were born after 2001 (Ibarrola, Rivero, Lopez, Rolla, Andenmatten, Gaitan, Ensslin, Peiron, Castaneyra, Abud, Sassano).”

Disappointed with France

"I am obviously disappointed with France and the French Tennis Federation.

Today, she only wants to be connected to one circuit. It's a shame for the sport.

We continue to move forward on our side. But, I am disappointed that in France, everything is more complicated and even more so for the Monegasque that I am and with the ties I have with France on all levels.

We could do great things and we are going to do it. I hope that the FFT will support the energy that is put into this sport. Our interests are all the same."

fabrice pastor A1 Padel

a 1st stage 100% in France

“There will be the Monaco event again and we will have our first event in France at Tennis Padel Soleil in Beausoleil. We are currently in discussions with other major padel cities.

For now, I can't say anything about the location. Lyon is a city that I like a lot and that necessarily has a special history with padel. We also have the south of France. We had a very nice event last year in Saint-Tropez.”

The war between the circuits is distressing

"There are so many players that I have helped via the Fabrice Pastor Cup in particular and that we see today on the front of the stage. I think it would have been normal to see them on the APT Padel Tower and A1 Padel today for some.

We know that the players are afraid or at least were afraid. But we can see that the World Padel Tour will not be able to win this battle and force players to play only at home.

I obviously find it sad that there is this war between the circuits. It's such a shame for this sport. In a way, we're glad to be away from all the hubbub that doesn't advance our sport.

It would have been so much easier to find ourselves around a table, all together, and to finally be able to discuss seriously with the sole objective, the evolution of our sport and the professional players. Unfortunately to this day, there is always a good excuse not to do so. And it's not for lack of trying everything to do it."

A1 Padel Fabrice Pastor

A1 Padel will have new partners

"New partners will join A1 Padel. These organizations have an enormous international impact. I can't announce it yet, but it's for A1 Padel and for padel in general something exceptional."

According to the president of the circuit, the best is yet to come.

Sebastien Carrasco

Future naturopath and padel enthusiast, Seb is the health/food man of Padel Magazine. He juggles between pala, quinoa and essential oils. For almost two years now he has been dealing with the news of the little yellow ball with the same passion.

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