On the occasion of FIP Rise of Bandol, Marc Andreu, ex-rugby international, took part in the personalities tournament on the sidelines of the competition.

At the microphone Padel Magazine, he explains how he discovered padel. He also gives his impressions of the event, shares an anecdote with Dimitri Szarzewski and tells us about his favorite padel player.

His return on the event

Frédéric Donne, the president of Bandol, had been talking to me about it for a while, that he wanted to build a track on the port of Bandol. I found this project exceptional. Once there, it's even more exceptional since the setting is magnificent. Installing a temporary padel court on the port of Bandol is truly incredible, especially knowing that it is a booming sport in the Var region.

FIP Rise Bandol

His discovery of padel

I discovered padel a year and a half ago. With my partner, we started playing a little bit, and finally, we quickly got hooked. Now, we play two to three times a week. When we finish our work, during the lunch break, we quickly go play. Today, we play at the Tennis Club Toulonnais (TCT) and we have a great time.

I play more on the right, but my partner is left-handed, so obviously I have to play on the left… However, I play like a right-hander. So, let's say that it's me who tries to run a little and catch the balls, and my partner simply finishes the points.

Marc Andreu FIP Rise Bandol

The anecdote with Dimitri Szarzewski

So, there are a lot of people who play padel in the rugby world, more and more, because this sport, a few years ago, was not known enough for everyone to be able to play it. I know that I have friends who play padel.

I have a little anecdote: I joined Racing not long ago, and we played a match with Dimitri Szarzewski, who told us he was very, very good. In the end, I can confirm today, he's really not very good (laughs).

His favorite padel player

I still watch a lot of padel on TV. I think it's spectacular, even if it's not at all the same game as us. When you see them on TV, you have the impression that it's so easy, but trying to reproduce what they do is really difficult. There are a lot of talented pairs.

I like watching Tolito because he's a slightly whimsical player, who doesn't take his head and who makes exceptional shots. So, if I have to name a player, I prefer to name him, even if he is perhaps not the most talented.

A fun sport for all levels

I find it a very fun sport. That is to say, whatever your level, if you are with the right people in the field, you will always have fun, whether you are at a low, medium or very good level.

We see that many high-level athletes or former athletes excel in this sport. It requires a certain reactivity, a good vision of the ball, its trajectory, and so on. So, I think that high-level sport gives you certain starting qualities that allow you to play this game well.

It's true that it's a sport, as you say, a little less restrictive on the joints, which requires a certain vivacity. But depending on your placement, you can do really interesting things.”

Dorian Massy

New padel fan, I am fascinated by this dynamic sport that combines strategy and agility. I find in padel a new passion to explore and share with you on Padel Magazine.

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