Gracia Radovanovic: “Allowing padel to develop in Serbia”

Heading to Serbia alongside Gracia Radovanovic. Having returned to her home country a year ago, the former Top 25 in the French ranking has become a key player in the development of padel in the Balkans.

Back to the origins and integration of padel in Serbia

“A year ago, I decided to leave everything behind and go back to live in my home country, Serbia, more precisely in Belgrade, the capital. Before taking this big turn, I would like to point out that I had never considered teaching padel or participating in its development in France. For me, having been a tennis player and having devoted my entire life to it, I saw padel more as a hobby, despite my training in Palavas with Valentin Durand and my ranking in the top 25.”

The evolution of padel in Serbia and my role in it

“When I arrived in Serbia, there were only two padel clubs. But a year after my return, the number of clubs increased significantly. Moreover, it is surprising to note that despite this growing popularity, Serbia does not have a padel federation. This regulatory void means that there are no standards for tournaments, no ranking of players. So it was as if I was there at the very beginning of the sport in the country.

One of the anecdotes I can share concerns the lack of organization in padel tournaments, coupled with this incredible ambient coolness. We have introduced P100 and P250, with financial endowments reaching €500. However, there is no real ranking or seeding. The tables are drawn up by drawing lots. I am currently experiencing the beginnings of padel in Serbia. But, Franck, you know what I am talking about! We forget it, but in France, not so long ago, there was almost nothing.”

My transition from player to teacher

“How did I become a teacher? By pure chance, during a tournament in Vamos Padel, a club in Belgrade. The club managers doubted my level, but after seeing the local level of play, they offered me a teaching offer for beginners, which I accepted. And so, I started teaching the basics of padel, because I repeat, I am not a trained padel teacher.”

Collaborations and sports development

“I met Djordje Mijailovic, the manager of Padel Centar, who is passionate about padel. He offered me to collaborate on the organization of the Belgrade Padel Open, an event he had been considering for a long time. Little by little, the popularity of padel grew in Serbia, but the level of play did not follow due to the lack of qualified coaches. That's why I called on my former coach, Valentin, to come and offer courses and raise the level.”

Promotion of padel and official recognition

“When I arrived in Serbia, there was no store dedicated to padel equipment. So I collaborated with Head France to open an online store. But the highlight was Belgrade Padel Open. This tournament, financed largely by the city, attracted players from different countries, including the French who won the title. And today the Ministry of Sports is ready to officially recognize the federation, paving the way for regulation and the possibility for Serbia to participate in international competitions.”

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.