French tennis legend Fabrice Santoro swapped his tennis racket for a padel racket for the first edition of the Personalities Trophy, organized by Lagardère Paris Racing and the Imagine Institute. Even on the padel courts, the former champion remains faithful to his atypical playing style.

Padel came naturally

"I have a lot of friends who play tennis who started playing padel. I play much less often than them, it remains occasional, but at least once a month. It's very nice, fun, and I really enjoy it. I don't know my style of play yet, so I let myself be guided by my partners who most of the time put me on the left. "

"I still do a lot of two-handed backhands. After that, I don't play like a real padel player in the sense that I like to be at the net all the time, even when normally I should be behind. I love doing reflex volleys. I want to have fun first."

A mixed doubles title at Roland-Garros but this time in padel?

"Why not. Well, I need to progress and play more regularly. Today, I have a very good partner, my friend David (Marouni), who plays three, four times a week. These will be my first competitive matches. I've never done it."

For a first, Fabrice Santoro and David Marouani won during this personalities tournament organized by Lagardère Paris Racing and the Imagine Institute, facing journalist Julien Benedetto and former tennis player Cédric Pioline.

Vincent Gallie

A fan of oval ball, round ball and also racket sports, he was bitten by padel during his adolescence in Galicia. As comfortable in front of the camera as behind a microphone, Vince will be able to bring his vision and expertise as a passionate fan of the little yellow ball.

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