À 12 years, Lino Meireles et Lenzo Barreteau are already discovering international tournaments. The two young French players, used to playing together on the national circuit (TNJ, etc.), participated in the FIP Promises of Belgium, with the key to a first significant experience with encouraging results.

A final against the Belgian champions

Out first in the group After beating the first seed (1/7 6/6), which included the world number 2 U2 Xavier Re, Lino and Lenzo then continued until the final.
Facing the Belgian champions, present in both U12 and U14, the French resisted in the first set before giving in: 7 / 5 6 / 1In U14, they had already met this same pair in the first round (defeat 6/4 6/4). Results which give them benchmarks.

After a great run, Lino Meireles and Lenzo Barreteau lost in the final of the FIP Promises U12 Belgium

A friendship born from padel

Lino and Lenzo met through padel, at tournaments and national gatherings. They connected immediately, so much so that they decided to continue the adventure together. Having become friends through padel, they now share the court as often as possible.

Both were born in 2013 and are pursuing advanced academic paths, starting 4th grade this year. Their daily lives are punctuated by sports: Lino is in sports studies at the Saint-Michel college in Avignon, which allows him to train every afternoon. Lenzo, himself, is in a sports class. with flexible schedules, which also gives him several dedicated slots. The two train daily, between group sessions, individual sessions and matches against adults.

First steps on the adult circuit

In addition to youth competitions, they already participate in adult tournaments. They play P250, where they regularly reach the eighth or quarter-finals.

Very involved families

Behind these trips and this organization, there are above all the families. Each tournament involves significant expenses: travel, accommodation, registration fees. In Belgium, the families traveled by train and shared an apartment. For the next stages, in Porto and Paris, the operation will be the same: apartment rentals and cost sharing.

On the equipment side, Lino is supported by Head with preferential conditions, while Lenzo benefits from a contract with Bullpadel including endowments. These partnerships remain valuable, but families continue to seek additional support to ease the financial burden.

Upcoming meetings

The schedule is looking busy: Lino and Lenzo are expected to participate in the FIP Promises of Paredes (October 24-26) then the FIP Promises of Paris (October 31 – November 02)They will be entered in both categories, U12 and U14In Paris, the tournament will have a special value: the winners will benefit from support to get in touch with brands, develop their visibility, etc.

The two young people are moving forward together, with the desire to gain experience and continue to progress. In the medium term, Lino and Lenzo aim to join the Vichy National Training Center, an important step to continue their progress and structure their sports project.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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