Behind the scenes of FIP RISE with Alain Henry and David Matéo

The FIP RISE Canet-en-Roussillon 2022 is launched with the main draw starting tomorrow morning! The elite of padel French met there.

On the sidelines of the event, Alain Henry and David Matéo reviewed the two international events carried out, the objectives, the disappointments and the possible developments for future years.

Testimonials.

A FIP RISE awaited by the players and the city

Alain Henry (AH): “The second edition of FIP RISE Canet-en-Roussillon was expected by the players, but also the city and the organizers that we are. Last year the first tournament of the FIP Tour in a public place in France took place in Canet-en-Roussillon. We always remember our firsts.

David Mateo (DM) "We are a quartet. Christelle, Franck, Alain and I obviously know each other very well. And we are used to evolving in this sector. So the basics are solid, but it is obvious that we couldn't do much without the shock team that surrounds us. A team of volunteers without whom nothing could be done. We must never forget it, thanks again to them. “

“Last year, we set the bar very high. At the same time there was certainly more pressure last year because we were a bit in the unknown, and at the same time, this year, we obviously want to do better, so we are trying to learn and offer more and better .”

A milestone has been crossed

AH: "This year, we are taking another step, it is undeniable. "

DM: "In Perpignan, we started working last December. It is much more difficult because the level is higher. There are requirements in relation to the hotel for example… Concerning Canet, it is different, we know the place well, we work in confidence, the partners are loyal.”

AH: “Next year things can change. We will have to analyze the two events held this year (FIP GOLD PERPIGNAN / FIP RISE CANET-EN-ROUSSILLON). We do not close any doors. We could work differently.”

Conflicts disappoint and tire players and organizers

DM: “Today several professional circuits exist. We are somewhat taken hostage by the various conflicts that can arise in this sport, which puts the organizers and the players in situations that are not always obvious. And this is the case now. So we are wondering about another way of doing things next year.”

AH: “What disappoints us is this reality, and tensions behind the scenes… The multitude of events too. It is hoped that the international environment will soon normalize.”

"There were to be 8 FIP tournaments this year in France if I'm not mistaken and in the end, we end up with 2 FIP tournaments (RISE Canet and GOLD Perpignan). I think that says it all. "

The 8-year-old…

AH: “We are on exceptional sites, public squares bring in a lot of people. The point of doing it in a club is less.”

“I remember an 8-year-old child who was discovering the padel for the first time last year. And a little later, we ran into him again in a club in the region. And he explained to us that he wanted to play padel very soon after the event. It's a small victory, it's above all what motivates us: to promote this sport through great competitions, but also discoveries, exhibitions...”

Le padel chair in the spotlight

DM: “This Sunday, we are going to offer a somewhat special match. This is an exhibition in padel armchair. And at the same time, there is a very fine international event at Le Mans in padel chair taking place, so we can clearly see that the initiatives are there. The French Tennis Federation is behind us. And that is very good news.”

“We can clearly see that it's very difficult to organize an international event and even more so on public sites. The work is colossal and you can only do it out of passion, otherwise it is better to stop.”

AH: “We are lucky to have the town of Canet-en-Roussillon very motivated, like Perpignan for that matter. And we saw it again recently, the padel is booming. It's a show that's really starting to attract. We meet people who sometimes have heard of it and who finally see this sport with top players.

Free admission to FIP RISE

DM: “The entry is free throughout the tournament like last year, it is the small difference with the FIP of Perpignan. But the format is not the same.”

The million mark will be crossed

AH: "I think we are just at the very beginning. On the 7 to 8 years who arrive, there is everything to do. We are going to experience a huge boom. We are already talking about a boom, while the boom is tomorrow. The clubs are full in the evening. It works better and better. Today we are certainly 300.000 practitioners, but the million mark will be crossed in France in the coming years. That's a fact. Now how will things evolve? The future will tell…"

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.