Present at FIP Silver of Bandol, Laura Buteau spoke at length about her tournament, her conscious decision to step away from the French circuit, her professional and mental support, and her ambitions. We met a clear-headed, committed player driven by a clear vision of her future in padel.

An encouraging tournament… despite the elimination

"We beat WO in the first round... well, we win!" Laura jokes with a smile. But things get serious in the second round: "Then we face the 9th seed. We play a great match, I think. Not in terms of result, but we still take the first set 6/4, we lead 1-0 with the break in the second."

What's next? "It's the little details that make the difference, against players who are used to the circuit and at this level."

She is very clear about her British partner, whom she knows well: "We had already played together in Agrigento when I started on the FIP circuit, then in Lithuania last year. I enjoy playing with her. She has an aggressive right-hand game, quite tennis-like, which I like. She is very professional, and that brings me a lot."

“In 2024, I was on three circuits. Too many.”

His year 2025 is marked by a strong choice: to refocus his energy on the FIP Tour. "Last year, I was on three tours: French, Portuguese, and FIP. I lost a lot of energy. Alex and I decided to focus on the FIP Tour." Based in Portugal, she continues to play a few local tournaments, "but it's mainly to put into practice what I've been working on in training. They're competitive matches, but less important than the FIPs, in my mind."

And France? "I wouldn't say no to a return, especially on P2000s. But today, I'm primarily playing FIPs close to home, so in Spain and Portugal. And if there are any in France, I'll come too."

“I needed to refocus, to define my project”

Laura is aware of her absence from the French circuit. "Yes, I've fallen off the radar a bit... But I needed this break. To refocus on myself and clearly define my project and my goals. I don't see it solely in terms of results. It's also a question of well-being and the desire to continue."

She admits: "You're not wrong, it's important to be visible. But today, I'm in another phase. I'm building."

Laura Buteau: “I feel better, clearer about my project, and that changes everything.”

“Alex? It’s a friendship, a management relationship, a coach. Not only that.”

Behind this structure, one name keeps coming up: Alex Prévert, his manager and coach. “It starts with a friendship, then management, and then coaching. This year, we really redefined the roles, and that has a huge impact on my performance. He brings me a lot. He does a lot of work analyzing my game, and he takes everything he can off my hands so that I can focus solely on padel.”

Mental work finally possible

And that's not all: "Thanks to Alex, I was also able to start working with a Spanish sports psychologist. It was something I wanted to incorporate from the beginning, but couldn't afford financially. Now it's possible, and I feel much better."

She continues: "I deconstructed certain myths, I understood things... It doesn't happen in the blink of an eye, but it helps me move forward."

“I wouldn’t say I deserve a position… But I work for it.”

When it comes to the French team, Laura remains measured: "I wouldn't say I deserve a place. But I'm giving the best of myself. I want to progress. I think I still have some things to prove on the FIP circuit. I have to show myself more. And that comes through results."

She knows that by moving away from the French circuit, she has taken a risk: "Yes, for sure. But I believe it will come. The results will come with work... and perhaps the call from the coach too."

A constructive criticism of the FIP circuit

If she invests so much, Laura keeps a lucid eye on the organization of the FIP Tour. "Since I've been in Portugal, I've seen a real difference in the organization, especially from the clubs. But on the FIP side, there are still problems. The tables come out late, the playing orders too. We receive information on the networks before we have it officially. We don't always know who we're playing against."

She acknowledges that "the organizers are doing what they can," but regrets that this lack of clarity is generating stress. "They've already improved some things, like banning double registrations. But there's still work to be done. Luckily, Alex is managing all that for me."

Sometimes limiting conditions

She also warns about the infrastructure: "Some clubs are not suitable. I'm thinking of the FIP Bronze in Castellón: pitches full of sand, concrete exits... It was dangerous. Players have been injured. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

“I’m focused on my project. The rest will come.”

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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