We had the chance to exchange with Mateusz Mironski, captain of the Polish team during the European Championships in Rome.

In the corridors of the European Championships of Padel in Rome, we took the opportunity to get to know the different teams present. There is teams that we do not yet know on the professional circuit but who deserve to be talked about and the efforts they are making for the padel. Mateusz Mironski, the captain of Poland, introduces us to his country.

Padel Magazine : "Hello Mateusz. What is your role on these European Championships? " :

Mateusz Mironski: “In this tournament I am a coach, captain and player (smile).”

PM : "Can you tell us about the padel in your country ?"

MM : “We are just starting out. We are growing, we are trying to make it grow as best we can. We are counting on the Polish Federation of Padel, Polska Federacja Padla.

How many clubs do we have? In truth very little for the moment, most being in the city of Warsaw where there was little FIP tournament.

On the players side, about 450 players participate in the various organized tournaments. Then there are the players "leisure", but I do not know the exact figure.

PM: "Speaking of tournaments, what types of tournaments do you propose? Tournaments reserved for Poles or tournaments open to all? "

MM: “We are offering more and more tournaments, and this last tournament in Warsaw, in the biggest club in Poland, the Pro Padel Club with its 5 indoor courts, made us known by attracting some foreign players, especially Spaniards. Apart from this tournament which gave points in the FIP ranking, the others do not give points, only prizes, therefore less attractive for foreign players. ”

PM: “Could you tell us when the padel arrived in Poland and what is the difference with today? ”

MM: “The padel arrived in Poland about 5 years ago. The difference with today is enormous. We are booming. Structures are being set up, we are starting to see investors betting on this sport, specialist coaches and above all players who have a better level, as you have seen during these European championships. I think we are not unworthy.

Today in Poland we are trying to do several advertising campaigns to inform people about what the padel and try to lure them into the clubs because we know that once they take a racket, they fall in love. ”

PM: "Are there any training courses for young people?"

MM: “It's a project we're working on. It takes time to organize and we are a young country in the world of padel. We know the importance that children have in the future of this sport, and we are working on this to offer schools of padel. The concern is that we have few slots. ”

PM: "When you say few niches, what do you refer to?"

MM: “We have few clubs and therefore few pitches. Today it is almost impossible to reserve land between 18 and 23 p.m., the demand is so high. Players leaving work head straight to clubs to play. Children and schools of padel also have the same hourly availability. A difficult situation to manage. We need more land. ”

PM: "Do you want to get a message across?"

MM: “Although we have Polish companies investing in the padel, we need help and foreign investors in order to meet a great demand for new clubs, more land and above all quality sports infrastructures to continue our development both in the capital and in other provincial towns. . Do not hesitate to come to Poland we are “very” welcoming (smile). ”

PM: "Speaking of the European Championships in Rome, what memories will you bring back?"

MM: “This is the first time for us that we have taken part in a stage like this. It's extraordinary and it gives us an experience that we would never have had by staying in Poland. All of our players have spent the week watching the games of the other teams, the way they play, have also watched the Spanish WPT players. It's very positive for us. We realize that we still play too much tennis and not enough padel. This is the message that we will bring back to our clubs. A great experience acquired here in Rome, to be repeated. ”

PM: “Thank you Mateusz and long live padel Poland."

MM: "Thank you Padel Magazine. "

 

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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