2 weeks before the world championships padel, we interviewed Mathieu Lapouge, selected in the France team of padel to participate in this great celebration of padel in Paraguay. To be part of the team, he had to overcome his physical troubles to end up with an incredible 3rd place in the 2018 French Championships.

In the men, we knew the 7 essential players. With the package of Jeremy Ritz, there remained a place, fiercely contested, to be part of the band. Mathieu Lapouge got it. He describes his last moments with the humility we know so much.

Padel Magazine - This 8e place was hard fought. Did you expect to be selected in view of your previous speeches?

Mathieu Lapouge - When I was injured in the Netherlands, I thought that the French team was over for me but I fought because I needed to prove things to myself and to some people who told me says not to give up ...

To wear the jacket of the Team of France, it is so special.

PM -The fact of having been 3rd in the French championships, do you think that this allowed Alexis Salles to take you?

ML - Even though the coach had called me a few months ago to tell me that I was on a "short list," I think being in the semifinal with Dimitri Huet had to be decisive.

I had already realized this performance in 2016 with Fabien Veber. All this must have weighed in the balance.

After, I remain convinced that Julian Maigret, Loic Le Panse, Jeremy ritz, Jerome Ferrandez or Morgan Mannarino, PE Morillon (and I forget ...) deserved their selection but there is a coach and only 8 places.

I thank Dimitri because without him everything that happens to me would not have been possible, it was just incredible before, during and after these championships of France.

PM - That max moreau is the 7e player, it helped you to be this 8e player? Do you get along?

ML - How not to get along with Max? Yes we share the same vision of padel and life. I have great admiration and respect for him because despite the criticisms, he continues to work to achieve his goals and he is someone who has never looked down on me.

I remember him offering to share the court in Sofia in 2016 with Fabien Veber, my former partner, when he did not know me, I had only done 2 tournaments of padel in my life. 2 weeks later he won the French Open at the Capitol and I found myself a few months later at the World Championships in Portugal with him.

PM - Am you a special preparation for the world? It was the deal with the captain?

ML - I watch my diet and train a little more than usual. It's a family project, Amelie takes care of the girls to free me up time and put me in the best conditions, a physiotherapist continues to see me to help me recover from training and matches. Alexis did not impose anything on me but I want to gain the confidence of the coach and be 100% on the day.

PM - Have you been assigned a specific role in Team France? 😉

ML - No, I am aware of being a substitute with 3 very strong pairs but we will give everything with Max on the open tournament per pair and I will stand by in case of injury of a player or if the team strategy the request (to make the holders breathe in case of qualification already obtained). A world championship lasts a week and it can happen a lot.

PM - More seriously, considering your experience, how do you see your role on the team? What can you bring him?

ML - I think I can bring a little good humor, encouragement and my 2016 experience. I have a role of luxury Sparring Partner, who wouldn't like to be in my place? When you are passionate about padel and whether you're in the same tournament as Lamperti, Diaz, Lima, or the Alayeto twins, you're like a kid at Disneyland.

I get along very well with most girls and if I can be helpful to the group, I will be available.

PM - Mathieu Lapouge = what is it?

ML - The 3 smash is impossible from behind the service square line or block a 2 smash from the player in front.

PM - Do you know how to make mojito?

I am more specialist Caipirinha, I will do the demo in Paraguay after the tournament 😉

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.

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