Louise Bahurel – 16 years old and already 8th at the French Championships!

Louise Bahurel is one of the young promises of French padel. The current 30th French player, despite her 16 years, finished 8th at the 2022 French Padel Championships with Camille Martinet.

Interview.

The European Championships: unforgettable

Padel Magazine – Can you tell us about your beginnings in padel?

Louise Bahurel (LB) – I started playing padel when my tennis club built two courts, three or four years ago. At first we played from time to time with tennis friends. After that the choice was quickly made. I got hooked right away.

I sometimes play with my parents and my brother who got into it too.

PM – Are you disappointed not to have taken part in the French Junior Championships?

LB- I didn't take part in the French Junior Championships, because it was a team event and there weren't enough girls to do one. The ARA league therefore only presented boys.

However, I participated in European Junior Championships last month, and that remains unforgettable for me!

Playing with my friends, the difference!

PM – Why did you choose padel when you are a good tennis player?

LB- I prefer padel to tennis because it's more fun. I found an interest in this sport and a willingness to learn that I no longer had in tennis. And then I could play with my friends, including in tournaments.

I loved tennis but I didn't like going to tennis tournaments alone, going back there the next day… I liked only the summer tours with all the friends from the club.

In padel, I was first able to play with the boys I knew well. Then, by playing mixed tournaments in Lyon, I was able to meet girls who were willing to play with me, especially Camille (Martinet). With the girls this year we went everywhere to play tournaments (P 1000), it was great! I found the spirit of the tours again and I progressed a lot by playing these tournaments.

PM – What does it feel like to play against the French numbers 1?

LB- It was a "kiff" to play against Alix and Léa. I was afraid of being completely on the street. With Camille we managed to do a few things anyway. Afterwards, there is a lot of work to reach such a level! But it's very motivating.

I don't know if I will one day have this level but I want to continue to progress!

Do better next year

PM – Finishing in eighth place in the French Championships is already good, isn't it?

LB- I am very happy to have arrived eighth at the French Championships with Camille. We still have to improve to be at the level of the top 15/20 players. But I'm motivated and I hope to get there.

Next year I hope to do as well or even better!

PM – How do you train?

LB- This year, I train in Pringy twice a week (when it doesn't rain...) with Philippe Lucca, my "historical" tennis and padel coach. I play with my (tennis) buddies Basile and Alexis who are French junior vice-champions this year.

In addition, François Authier kindly offered to train me. So I go to Lyon once a week. It's a great opportunity for me. He also coaches us on certain tournaments.

Even if I would like to go train in Spain one day, it is not in the news.

At my level, I believe that I can still make good progress in France and I have to ensure my education…

PM – How do you describe your game?

LB- I have a rather complete game according to my coaches. I like playing with the windows, defending and controlling from the baseline and at the same time I love to send Lucile Pothier “stumps”!

I prefer to be on the left, I feel more comfortable and more efficient but sometimes I also play on the right in mixed.

PM – Do you already have a memory that marked you?

LB- My best memory in padel is the victory against Portugal in the quarter-finals at the European Championships… the atmosphere was crazy, we were really tense with Thaïs and after missing three match points, we finally concluded. It was incredible.

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.