The French champion of padel 2015 and 2016, Jérémy Scatena looks back on his start to the year, certainly the most important of his career with a promising start in Spain with his Spanish partner Closa.

You start a particular year…

It's true… Since April 2016, I have been in Spain to carry out a project that has been close to my heart for years: “Living Padel ". 2017 is the first year of training that I will be able to do entirely ... with the hope of making it into the top 30 on the Catalan circuit, my main objective.

Le padel professional, does it require sacrifices?

Le padel professional and amateur / pro are already in a configuration of personal requirement. To reach the top level, you have to focus on the physical part and not hurt yourself. I do everything I can, whether it's nutrition or recovery. I sometimes hear that the padel is a not so physical sport… However, at my semi-professional level, meeting the demands of top athletes is necessary. Limiting the risks associated with this new way of life is also quite a job.

What about your ambition in France? 

The championship of France will also be a very important goal with particularly promising young pairs like Blanqué / Bergeron.

In France, we see a lot of changes, pairs forming, others looking for each other. But for now, Robin Haziza and I are finished. We won a lot together. We had a great time. This is why the process has taken time to achieve our separation. I've been playing with Robin for ten years but unfortunately the pleasure of playing has faded a bit. It is time for me to find other goals in France.

What exactly are they? Do you have a partner for this year?

The separation from Robin also came, I must admit, from a real crush with my new partner Jeremy Ritz. We did 4 tournaments together in Spain and it became more and more obvious. He is a player who has made strong progress over the past year and who puts his partner in good playing conditions.

The competition looks tough in France, there are more and more players. To stay at the top, you will have to work and that's what I'm trying to do in Spain.

Your fans and you?

I will of course share my results, try to forward my news to more people if they wish. I also prepare a column on Padel Magazine very special, which will mix technique, tactics, mentality and I am sure will help many enthusiasts of padel. In short, the idea is to share with the world of padel everything I can learn in Spain. We'll see ... I'll say more soon.

Your program padel this year ?

I will participate in all the Catalan tournaments with my partner Guille Closa said the metronome. This circuit is of a very high level, it is the second circuit behind the WPT (World Padel Tour). I think I will play a few French tournaments between 4 and 6 because the level is really better. I will also do some WPT stages but that is not my main goal for this year because my current level of play does not allow me to compete.

What does Spain bring you? What have you learned since you've been there?

Spain for the Padel, it's like Bordeaux or Burgundy for wine, it's the best. The best coaches, a large number of players of very good level, experience of padel in training, technique but also in game tactics. If I had only one point to highlight it would be this.

What could we take in Spain to adapt it in France?

What is very striking is the quality of the sports facilities, very often with clubs with a fitness room, a swimming pool and sometimes even a spa. I think this makes the clubs padel much more attractive.

Interview by Franck Binisti

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.

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