On the occasion of the Open Tennis event Padel At the Forest Hill complex in Marne-la-Coquette, Maxime Joris agreed to discuss his career, his ambitions, and the early stages of his 2024 season. An interview with a rising star, as he transitions from tennis to padel and sets his sights on international goals. 

“We are in a very beautiful complex.”

 Maxime, can you tell us where we are today? 

We're at Forest Hill in Marne-la-Coquette, a great complex. I remember we'd already played a P2000 here, which was supposed to take place at the Pyramides but had been moved. At the time, I'd only played on the indoor tracks. Now I'm discovering the outdoor tracks: they're well sanded, frankly, very good. There's plenty to do. Okay, for winter, it might be a bit complicated, but in any case, the setting is great.

A transition from tennis to padel… almost forced

 Let's take a look back at your beginnings in padel. How did you go from tennis to a professional padel career? 

At first, I absolutely didn't want to hear anything about padel. I was fully committed to a professional tennis project, with academies, tailored academic support... In short, everything revolved around tennis. And then, in 2018 or 2019, I ran into Thomas Leygue at my tennis club in Toulon. He had come for a P1000, and he told me: "You have to switch to padel!" At the time, I was still in my tennis phase, so I replied: "Out of the question, it's not a real sport!" I was clearly teasing him.

Two years later, I finally got into the game. I started with P100s, then P250s… and little by little, my ranking evolved. I was encouraged to go further, so I explored the French circuit, until I reached P2000s. 2023 was my last year playing exclusively in France, and in 2024, I decided to dedicate myself entirely to the international circuit.

An encouraging start to the 2024 season

 How is 2024 going for you? 

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by my start to the season. My first tournament of the year was the team matches with the Big Padel, and I had the chance to play with Luiz Hernández-Quesada, who is on the world tour. It was a great experience and it gave me good hope for the future.

Then I followed that up with a FIP Gold final. Okay, it was during the break, so not necessarily against the best, but it was still a good result. Then I launched a project with the Spaniard Guillem Figuerola, but we didn't get the results we expected. The level of play is there, but at this level, confidence and consistency are key.

Maxime Joris loses in the final of the FIP Gold Dubai but carries out a big operation

End of a project, looking for a new partner

 You continue with Figuerola   ? 

No, we've stopped. I'll be playing with Nicolas Rouanet soon, then with Philémon Raichman when he returns. After that, I'll try to find a longer-term project, perhaps with a Spaniard or a Frenchman who plays on the left. The idea is to stabilize the team.

 Do you share the idea that we progress better when we build a partnership over time? 

Absolutely. Of course, some people manage to perform well with different partners. But I'm more of a person who wants a stable project, with someone I get along with on and off the field. We spend so much time together that we need a connection, otherwise it's complicated.

2025 Objectives: French team and World Top 100

 So what are the short and long term goals? 

For 2025, I'd like to continue this good momentum, and ideally be selected for the French national team, or even start. But the competition is tough. Then, get closer to the world's top 100 by the end of the year, and why not win one or two international tournaments.

We will find Max Joris and Philémon Raichman at the FIP SILVER BANDOL.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!

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