Thomas Leygue and Dylan Guichard successfully entered the FIP Finals in Bourg-en-Bresse by winning their first round match against two friends, Philémon Raichman and Julien Seurin. At the end of this hard-fought encounter, the two French players looked back on their performance, the playing conditions and their plans for next season. A look back at their impressions and ambitions.

Exceptional indoor conditions

Thomas Leygue:
We had a small gap at the beginning of the second set, but we were able to recover. We played better, I think, in the important moments. Every time we had to close out a set or on decisive points, we were more solid. They made a few mistakes, and we got away with it a bit by the skin of our teeth.

Dylan Guichard:
I think the ball is coming out well. We were here last year, and the conditions are still as good. Honestly, I love playing here indoors when the ball is coming out. With Thomas, it gives us a bit of an advantage. I didn't hit it too much today, but Thomas hit it very well. You can see that the ball is going up and coming out easily.

Thomas Leygue:
Ju and Phil, who are also two good smashers, caused us problems. When I fell asleep a bit and my lobs were too short, we had trouble breaking them. But in the end, we refocused, and it worked. Well done to them, they played a very good match.

Guichard and Leygue, an old story

Thomas Leygue:
I already played on the left a few years ago, especially with Dylan. It's a side that I love, even if I'm better on the right and I've had more results on that side. This week, I readjusted to the windows and the particularities of playing on the left. Here, the conditions are different from Madrid, where it was very cold. There, the ball goes out a lot, and you have to get used to it. For a first match back on the left, I'm quite happy.

Guichard looking for a partner

Dylan Guichard:
I don't know yet. Currently, I'm looking for a partner. Between the players ranked between 50th and 150th place, we all know each other. It often happens through messages to players with whom we get along well or with whom we think we could match. It's difficult, especially for us French, because the Spanish tend to choose other Spaniards at the same level. But I still have a little time and leads, even if nothing is certain.

Leygue: maybe with Montiel in 2025 or so…

Thomas Leygue:
This year, I received several offers, which is new for me. I am still hesitating between 3 or 4 partners. The wildcards in France are an advantage, but it remains limited. Some players prefer to start in qualifications to earn more points. For the moment, nothing has been decided, but I am confident.

Paying a player on the pro circuit

Thomas Leygue:
It exists, but personally, I would never pay a player. For me, it is important that a chemistry is created naturally. Paying a player can sometimes be a good thing, but it is not my philosophy.

Dylan Guichard:
I agree. Padel is a sport where project stability is difficult, especially for players of our level. It is even more complicated to create real dynamics with a Spanish partner.

Dylan: close to the top 100

Dylan Guichard:
Not really. I was hoping for better, but I'm not unhappy with the level of play. There are mental and physical aspects that I need to work on. I feel close to the top 100, and I want to do everything I can to reach that milestone early next year.

Complicated season

Thomas Leygue:
Yes, two months ago I was really fed up. I made bad choices by participating in tournaments that I shouldn't have played. It tired me out, but I managed to reset.

Dylan Guichard:
It's been a long season. I started preseason in January, and now it's December. It's almost a year without a break. I can't wait to go on vacation, but I'm happy to finish this season with Thomas. When you play with a friend, it's always more enjoyable.

Where to follow the Cupra Fip Finals Grand Bourg?
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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