Nicolas Rouanet entered the French Top 20 in just one year, going from 1500th place to 16th. Today he is the 13th French player.

However, despite very good results in 2023, he was not selected in the list of players selected for the French team training course. Unfair or understandable decision? Nicolas Rouanet returns at the microphone of Padel Magazine on the decision to Pablo Ayma et Ben Tison and gives us his opinion.

His non-selection for the French team

Obviously it was debated and I have been asked the question many times since the list came out… To be sincere, I think there are two ways of looking at things.

The first is that I arrived from the Top100, with my partner Norman Sanchez (12th), we made the biggest progress of the year and that, in the list of 19 selected, there are inevitably some less well ranked, with less good results. It's disappointing and we can say to ourselves that we haven't been rewarded.

Afterwards, the second way of seeing things is that, for me personally, no hurry. Before the list of 16 selected, there was one of 19 where I was not there. My reaction wasn't to say it wasn't fair, I didn't take it badly.

I know I'm new to padel so I'm going to take my time. I'm going to give it my all. Already, since September, I have been training every day, I have been doing a lot of tournaments.

What I can say anyway: If one day someone calls me, I will answer.

A project to develop for the future

I did not have Benjamin Tison ou Pablo Ayma live, it went through Jean-Thomas Peyrou, my trainer. The reason that Ben Tison gave to JT, and which I completely understand, is that I was still too new in padel and that he wanted to give me more time.

What that means is, on the one hand, my personal progress and structuring a project. For now, in terms of FIP, I haven't done much yet because I'm looking for sponsors, in particular to be able to raise funds and be able to travel.

I experienced very rapid progress and today, I couldn't do better than 11th. It is certain that today, things will be done internationally and that is my objective. But for now, I am still limited.

An international project in preparation

My international project should start this summer, but probably not alongside Norman Sanchez, who cannot have the same project as me. On the one hand, because he is older, but also because he has two children.

For the moment, I cannot say with whom it will be done because the pairs are already made in France. However, this summer, I will stop working at the tennis club where I was still working. I will focus 100% on padel, have time, be more flexible and above all, try to travel.

Rouanet Sanchez victory first round qualifiers fip rise bourg en bresse 2023

The difficulties of finding a partner

Today, it's difficult to find a partner, left. Many already have projects with others... I'm thinking of Thomas Vanbauce et Maxime Joris, Pierre Vincent et Arthur Hugounenq…

Afterwards, I know that Phil Raichman, due to the association between Thomas and Maxime, finds himself a little alone. Man Vives et Jerome Inzerillo, I know they do tournaments separately, I don't really know where they stand.

In any case, I will contact them, tell them that if they call me, I'll be there, even if you have to want to play with me because I don't have many points internationally.

Gwenaelle Souyri

It was her brother who one day told her to accompany him to a padel court, since then, Gwenaëlle has never left the court. Except when it comes to going to watch the retransmission of Padel Magazine, World Padel Tour… or Premier Padel…or the French Championships. In short, she is a fan of this sport.

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