Padel clubs at war against bad behavior

The paddle club in France are faced with a rise in inappropriate behavior on and around the grounds. Between the spitting, the use of unsuitable shoes and the damage caused by impulsive gestures, the situation worries managers. To preserve their infrastructure and guarantee a quality gaming experience, several clubs are adopting strict internal regulations.

Already in 2023, several establishments had expressed their concern about the trivialization of problematic practices, in particular spitting.

This phenomenon persists and is getting worse, to the point that some clubs, such as the large Pyramides club in Port-Marly, are setting up rules, with clear sanctions in the event of non-compliance.

Dress code: a question of standing and hygiene

On a padel court, players are expected to be properly dressed from head to toe, particularly avoiding playing bare-chested. In addition to the image of the club, these rules are also motivated by hygienic reasons : shirtless players can leave traces of moisture on the windows, making the game unpleasant for the following players. If this practice remains limited in winter, it resurfaces with the arrival of fine weather.

Proper footwear: a necessity for carpet

Clubs stress the importance of using padel specific shoes. Casual players, sometimes tempted to play with inappropriate shoes such as cleats or running shoes, cause serious damage to the carpets of the grounds. These practices accelerate their degradation while reducing the pleasure of the game. In addition, some players arrive directly from muddy areas, dirtying the grounds and leaving traces that are difficult to clean.

A manager of a Toulouse club testifies: "It's a real scourge. Despite our frequent reminders, some people are destroying our infrastructure through negligence." In the Paris region, the observation is similar, with a strict ban on running shoes or crampons, deemed unsuitable and harmful.

Intentional racket hits: a difficult sanction to apply

Another recurring problem concerns the voluntary racket strokes against the gates, often as a result of frustration. These gestures, although in the minority, cause structural damage : twisted or weakened grids. A manager confides: "These repetitive behaviors weaken our facilities. Some players do not think about the consequences of their actions."

To combat this phenomenon, some clubs no longer hesitate to apply radical measures, going as far as permanent exclusion offenders.

Spitting: an increasingly widespread practice

Finally, the problem of spitting on the slopes or nearby persists. This behavior, often adopted by players accustomed to outdoor team sports, is both unhygienic and dangerous. The clubs are unanimous: these practices must stop. “Firm sanctions will be taken against players caught in the act,” many clubs tell us.

Despite a majority of respectful players, a minorities imposes problematic behaviors, harming infrastructure and the playing experience. Padel clubs are actively mobilizing to limit these excesses and preserve the quality of their facilities.

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.