We met Léa Godallier to discuss her current situation, marked by changes of partner and the challenges to come within the framework of the circuit Premier Padel.

An unexpected change of partner

Léa Godallier had recently announced that she would continue with her Italian partner, Giorgia Marchetti. However, a turnaround upset these plans.

“A few days after our interview at the FIP Finals in Bourg-en-Bresse, Giorgia contacted me to tell me that she would finally play with Sarah Ruiz Soto, a player we had lost to at Roland Garros. She had received an offer that she accepted, and that forced me to quickly look for a new partner.

The terrible thing is that I had refused offers precisely out of loyalty to the initial project with Giorgia, and inevitably, when I put myself back on the market, the transfer window had already been largely established. But I was lucky, since I will play with Sandra Bellver, a player I like. Sandra is a fighter with an excellent temperament. Her game, more defensive and orderly, perfectly complements mine.

Sandra Bellver and Léa Godallier: a new partnership for 2025

An adjusted preparation

“To prepare for this new collaboration, Sandra Bellver will come to train in Toulouse, while I will go to Barcelona before the tournaments. A flexible schedule is being defined, taking into account my family constraints. This is the first time that a partner has offered to come and train at my place. This shows a real commitment on her part.”

Premier Padel : changes that raise questions

Léa also shared her thoughts on the new circuit regulations Premier Padel, which are causing debate. "The draws are restricted, and this complicates the situation for the qualifying players. It is a measure that seems to favor the elite to the detriment of the others. Many are likely to turn to the FIP tournaments, due to lack of access to the main tables.

For Léa, this development recalls the criticisms addressed to the old circuit World Padel Tour : "If this continues, the qualifications could disappear, and only players with enough points on secondary circuits like the FIP could access the main draws."

A booming women's competition

Despite these controversies, Léa is pleased to see the level of P2000 French progress: “Today, the average level is very high. From the first round, we face players who have represented France or Belgium. This shows that these tournaments have found their place in the French ecosystem.”

In conclusion, Léa responded with humor to the controversy over the presence of two coaches on the side of the track: "It depends if the second one speaks or not. Mine doesn't speak, so no problem for now!"

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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