Despite a defeat in the first round of the  Bordeaux Premier Padel P2 Arthur Hugounenq and Yanis Muesser left the court with reasons to be satisfied. Facing a higher-ranked pair, the two Frenchmen displayed some impressive sequences of play in conditions very different from those usually encountered on the FIP circuit. After the match, they reflected on their performance and discussed the specific challenges of the circuit. Premier Padel, the evolution of French padel and their ambitions.

 "These are conditions that we don't encounter all year round." 

 Padel Magazine What are your thoughts on your match? 

  Yanis Muesser  :  It's a positive match above all, despite the result which inevitably leaves a bit of frustration. It was one of the first times we'd played in these kinds of conditions, so you have to know how to adapt. It's not something you experience all year round. We prefer to focus on the positives: we managed to implement some good things and that's what we need to remember.

 "Here, you really get the feeling you're playing padel." 

 PM: Are the playing conditions very different from those of the FIP circuit? 

  Arthur Hugounenq  :  Absolutely. We didn't really have time to enjoy the tournament off the court this time, but the playing conditions are incredible. Even if there's less ball movement than in FIP, we play with the ball's trajectory, there's space, we can lob really high… It really feels like playing padel.

On the FIP circuit, you often play on very fast courses, with no hazards, and the balls fly. It's like night and day. People don't necessarily realize it. Here, all the players know how to make a par 3, whereas on the FIP circuit, a par 3 often means a point won.

 "The French public always brings something to the table." 

 PM: Did you feel the support of the public? 

 Arthur Hugounenq:  Yes, there was a decent crowd. Since we're French, we naturally received more encouragement, which is always nice. It's still the first few days of the tournament, so the stadium isn't full, but there was a great atmosphere.

 The French team: "Competition makes everyone improve" 

 PM: How did you react to the announcement of the French team's final training camp? 

 Yanis Muesser /  Arthur Hugounenq    :  If we're not on the list, it's because the coach has made his choices and probably feels we haven't earned our place yet. It's up to us to keep working.

I think it's very positive to have organized a training camp for ten players with two young sparring partners. It creates a real dynamic. The stronger the competition among French players, the more the overall level improves. We see Dylan Guichard breaking into the world's Top 100, other French players achieving very good results… Personally, I'm pleased. I'm a bit tired of only seeing Spaniards or Argentinians winning. Seeing more French players performing well is excellent news.

 "The level is rising everywhere" 

 PM: Is the level of the French gradually approaching that of the Spanish? 

  Yanis Muesser /  Arthur Hugounenq   :  It all depends on which players we're talking about. If we compare it to the very highest level in the world, it's different. But from the Top 100, Top 150, or Top 200 onwards, the differences are less related to nationality than to the work put in. Many players, regardless of their background, train in Spain, play a huge number of matches, and work on their physical conditioning. Today, the overall level has improved enormously.

“Here, we really play padel”: Hugounenq and Muesser impressed by the conditions at Bordeaux P2

 "French academies are changing the game." 

    Arthur Hugounen   q:  This year, we're also starting to see some excellent academies in France. I train in Palavas with Yoan Boronad and a whole group of young players who are progressing tremendously. We're thinking of Sacha Huard-Blamart, Nathan Perrot, and Thomas Vanbauce, who are all part of this momentum. There are also high-performing programs in Bordeaux and Lyon.

That said, if you look at the world's Top 100, the vast majority of players still train in Spain. That's surely no coincidence.

 "The French are often very strong in attack." 

 PM: Where do you see the strengths and areas for improvement of French padel today? 

 Yanis Muesser:  Overall, the French are often very effective in attack. Many come from a tennis background, so they have good volleys and very powerful smashes. However, the science of defense remains an area where there is still room for improvement.

When you watch a player like Coki Nieto, his game sometimes seems less spectacular. Yet, he places the ball with pinpoint accuracy. His efficiency is incredible. We might give the impression of power, but they possess exceptional precision.

 "The best ones are above all much more well-rounded." 

  Yanis Muesser    :  It's not for nothing that they're where they are and that we're where we are. They're much more well-rounded. On a specific shot, a French player in the Top 20 might sometimes have a smash that's better than some players on the world circuit. But if you consider all aspects of the game, there's no comparison.

  Arthur Hugounenq     :  In padel, there are a multitude of different shots. Perhaps Yanis has one of the best French smashes and smashes better than many players in the Top 100. But in all other aspects of the game, they are more well-rounded. This is precisely what explains the differences in rankings.

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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