At only 13 years, Gabriel Bessiere, licensed at My Center Palavas, is part of the rising generation of French padel. Committed to FIP Promises Paris by WMEAt the first major international youth tournament organized in France, the young player reflects on his journey and ambitions. Profile.

A frustrating defeat, but one rich in lessons.

The duo Gabriel Bessière / Tyrone Pottier They progressed through two rounds before bowing out in the quarter-finals. A defeat that was hard to swallow, as both young players were so close to achieving a major upset.
"In the first set, we weren't playing well. The player on the right was a monster, he defended everything. Sometimes, he wasn't even using his racket anymore, he was just lucky and everything was going in."

Aware that they needed to adjust their strategy, the two Frenchmen changed their game plan.
"In the second set, we changed our strategy: we stopped targeting the player on the right in defense because he was defending too well, and we focused on the player on the left."

Despite this adaptation, the outcome of the match was decided by two points.
"We had two set points in the second set... it's tough."

A painful elimination, but one that does not diminish the determination of the young Palavasian.
“I was expecting a better result, but it was our first time playing together with Tyrone. Originally, he was supposed to play on the right, but he wasn't super comfortable there, so I took the right side.”

Gabriel Bessière: "I want to turn pro and be world number one" Tyrone Pottier

From the little yellow ball to the glass wall

Native Palavas-les-FlotsGabriel initially played tennis for two years before discovering padel by chance.
“I used to play tennis, and one evening we came to watch a padel tournament. A court became available, and we went to play on it with my father… with tennis rackets! It was so much fun, so we kept playing.”

The young player explains why he preferred padel.
"Tennis is harder, less fun. You have to run around looking for balls, start over all the time... whereas in padel, you have fun right from the start."

Structured training in Palavas

Gabriel is training intensively at My Center Palavaswhere he benefits from comprehensive support.
"I train for about 3 hours a day, Monday to Friday, and weekends are often for tournaments."

His coaches are among the most renowned on the French circuit.
"In physics, it's Thomas Seux, a machine. And for padel, I have Florian Hue et Ben Tison »

Working with the former French number 1, now a coach, is a real privilege.
"Ben is a great coach, very nice, but also demanding on the field. He wants us to improve, and that's normal."

A middle school student torn between passion and studies

At his age, combining sport and school is a daily challenge.
"I go to school in the morning until noon or 14 p.m., then I go to training. The club is a five-minute walk away."

The establishment is adapting as best it can to this demanding pace.
"Sometimes we miss classes, but we make them up in other classes. Last year it was a bit complicated, but this year it's perfect, well organized."

Gabriel Bessière: "I want to turn pro and be number one in the world."

An offensive style and a steely backhand

Positioned on the left, Gabriel describes himself as an attacking player.
"I prefer playing on the left, although I can fill in on the right. I'm more of an attacking player."

His strongest move?
"The two-handed backhand! I've worked on it a lot with..." Yannick Maurel "For six months, to the point that now I almost never miss it."

His role model on the professional circuit is none other than...Alejandro Galán, one of the best players in the world.
"I love his style, he inspires me."

Objectives: French national team, titles and world championship dreams

Clear-headed and ambitious, the young player makes no secret of his dreams.
"In the short term, I want to be taken every year in France team and achieve good results at the World and European Championships.

But its scope is much broader.
"In the long term, I want to become a professional... and be world number one »

Off the court: surfing, studies and discipline

When he's not playing padel, Gabriel enjoys the sea.
"I surf a lot when there are waves, but otherwise, I have little free time between classes and tournaments."

From a technological standpoint, it surprises with its simplicity.
"I don't have a game console or TikTok, just a phone."

His diet is also adapted for competition.
"Before a match, I often eat pasta. Not too much, otherwise you get stuffed and you can't move anymore!"

A mentality that's already professional

On the field, Gabriel leaves nothing to chance. He admits to a small tic, noticed by many.
"I often run my hand over my face with my t-shirt on. Everyone thinks it's to show off my abs, but it's just because I sweat a lot!"

Smiling, determined, and already very professional in the way he talks about his sport, Gabriel Bessiere perfectly embodies this new generation of young French people trained in solid and ambitious structures. With coaches like Benjamin Tison and with unwavering passion, the young player from Palavas seems destined for a bright future.
And as he himself says, without mincing words:
"I want to turn pro and be number one in the world."

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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