FFT Containment Exit Protocol - In preparation

The protocol for leaving the French Tennis Federation in clubs has not yet been released. It will take a priori May 4 to learn more.

However, we will try to make a general point on the different elements exposed by the Ministry of Sports and the measures already taken by the national and international institutions of padel.

A general protocol, before a specific protocol padel ?

First of all, the disciplines associated with FFT whose padel is part may require specific adjustments to the release protocol. The future protocol should therefore mainly concern tennis.

The FFT could then communicate on additional or adapted protocols in relation to the sports it represents.

Measures specific to padel will certainly be taken by the FFT over the next week.

The FFT could then take an example from the Belgian de-containment which will allow players to padel to play 1 against 1. But at the same time it must adapt to the provisions of the Ministry of Sports. Not easy ...

Especially since the Ministry of Sports has already said that for a resumption in early May it would be “A priori NO”.

De-containment in 3 phases?

These elements are to be taken with tweezers. Indeed, the government has announced de-containment based on 3 geographic areas.

The FFT could also propose a 3-phase plan for tennis which would start on May 11.

June 2 could finally be the resumption of a more normal life for all the sports activities represented by the FFT.

Phase 1 : A priori, nothing new. The practice of tennis should be authorized on outdoor courts and in singles. This device is also confirmed by the Ministry of Sports. This means that tennis teachers (and we hope to padel !) will be able to restart private lessons.

Phase 2 : If we do not know more about this step, it will certainly allow phase 1 to be extended with perhaps the possibility of carrying out group lessons. We imagine that this phase will largely depend on the provisions of the government.

Phase 3 : The normal resumption of sports activities in clubs. Will the competition be affected?

Re-opening of clubs under conditions

Tennis clubs and padel could reopen only if they scrupulously meet the future FFT protocol and the measures indicated by the government.

In the padel, International Federation of Padel and European Federation of padel have already published their general measures and indications as part of a recovery.

There is also talk of a COVID-19 referent appointed in each club. A solution already imagined in some clubs padel in Spain.

A financial investment from the very particular club should be put in place as regards the cleanliness of its infrastructure and the provision of players with disinfectants for themselves and to disinfect the ground on which they played.

But the player will be called upon. And again, it will not be easy to meet all the standards. The ball budget will explode and it will be necessary to be extremely strict… We are talking about disinfecting the walls, the net, the chairs… Having impeccable hygienic habits like not touching your eyes with your fingers…

Our opinion

In fact, changing balls regularly during a game, not touching the balls of his opponent are devices that players can not apply.

If the international bodies of padel have already found a solution by proposing to number or mark the balls, we know that on paper, this device will be difficult to follow.

In the padel, we play in general with 3 balls, it would then require an exceptional rigor of the players.

The sanitary conditions for clubs are so important that it is factually impossible for one club to keep them all.

Then the cost of cleaning and cleanliness imposed on clubs could be expensive ... Shouldn't we better leave certain clubs closed until June 2?

De-confinement will therefore not be simple ... Especially for clubs which will not be able to tick all the boxes of the government, the FFT and international institutions.

In our opinion, the too many and sometimes even impractical standards and regulations for this de-confinement will therefore automatically put players and clubs in a form of illegality.

Next week, we will know much more about the FFT protocol, which tries to do the best in a new situation. Good luck to everyone.

De-containment padel by David NIEMIETZ!

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.