At the microphone of our journalist, Pablo Ayma returns with his usual sympathy to the results of the French team during these World Championships. But also on its method of preparation and on its future under the tricolor colors.

Defeated in the semi-finals by the Spanish ogre, the Blues still have a chance to shine and bring back a nice third place against Portugal this Saturday.

“Understand the weather before playing”

“We are in excellent conditions, the facilities are great and the organizers treat us very well.”

"It is very important to have a good understanding of the weather and to see how the track reacts to it. It's not the same to play at 14 p.m. because with the heat, players who have a big smash can hit, but if these same players, you play them later, in the third game, it's as if you took away their weapons. It changes everything because from a fast game, you move on to a slower game where you will have to defend better because the windows are wetter.”

“Top 4 Goal”

"Yesterday against Belgium was like a final because it was a match with a lot of expectations where we played everything. It was the moment that would confirm if we finished among the four best nations in the world or if we were going to go down further. Our objective was of course to be in the top 4. We won hard 2/1 against them. The players played well and fulfilled the contract. Belgium were a tough opponent but I think Paraguay was very difficult to play. We suffered a lot and although we won 2-1 we didn't expect to suffer so much against this great team.

The blues more united than ever before their match for 3rd place against Portugal

“The order of the pairs means nothing”

"Every time we go to play, I watch the matches the players have played to give me an idea of ​​the pairs I can make. On our side, we decided to align in pair number 1 Tison-Maigret then Bergeron – Scatena and finally Blanqué – Leygue. This decision was made because, for example, Bastien and Thomas don't mind playing later in the evening because their game adapts to it. Benjamin, on the other hand, prefers to play first. What I do is a meeting with each of them and then collectively.”

"Bastien and Thomas are playing very well and brought us two very important points. But it should also be noted that Benjamin and Adrien had a very high level match yesterday. Ditto for Jérémy and Johan who met the toughest Paraguayan pair. They were brilliant. So sometimes the order of the teams lined up means nothing and during a World Cup, the goal is not so much to play well but to know how to be competitive."

“I had doubts between Adrien and Dylan”

"Yes we spoke together with Adrien. He told me that he is very happy with the trust I place in him. In Perpignan, I discussed with him because he was not playing very well and he was not in good physical shape. I told him that I had confidence in him but that he had to prove it to me by playing better. During the preparation camp in Barcelona, ​​I had doubts because another player stood out by playing at an incredible level. The latter is Dylan Guichard. They were the two players who remained in contention because Jérôme Inzerillo and Maxime Moreau are playing very well. I chose Adrien after all because he has a lot of experience and moreover he can evolve on the right as well as on the left. My intention when I arrived here was to have Adrien play on the right. However, he played on the left with Benjamin and in the end, he won us some very important points."

Paquito Navarro and Alejandro Galan the Spanish executioners

“Give everything against Spain”

For this match against Spain we had a meeting with the players but although they do a great job on the court, they are not magicians (laughs). I told them that today was a reward for all the work they put in. Being among the four best teams in the world is an honour. We will give it our all but it is very likely that the Spanish will win this match [which was confirmed after this interview]. There is still a big difference in level because we are talking about the best padel players in the world. I asked them to go all out even if we were to lose 6-0. That's the beauty of a competition, when you face an opponent stronger than you, you learn and it forces you to be better.

Portugal who eliminated Brazil will be the opponent of the French for 3rd place

“An option against Portugal”

Against Portugal, I think there are options to play. For the moment I am focused on our match of the day against the Spaniards. But yes, I have Portugal in mind because at the beginning we thought we would have to meet Brazil. When I have a free moment this afternoon and tomorrow morning I will watch all the matches of the Lusitanian selection but I think we have options. Who knows we might be able to get third place. But as I said, the most important thing at the moment is the game against La Roja.

“Continue the adventure with the French selection”

"Continuing the adventure as captain of the French team would be an honor. I have a very good relationship with all the players and I would love to continue, not only as a coach but also to bring all my experience of padel to France. I would like padel in France to have a wonderful future. The average age of our players is quite high, apart from Thomas and Bastien. So it is essential that we focus now on creating schools for the youngest because in 5 to 6 years, we will need new players."

“I would like to end by thanking everyone and saying that I am very motivated”.

You can now find this interview in Spanish below.

Sebastien Carrasco

Future naturopath and padel enthusiast, Seb is the health/food man of Padel Magazine. He juggles between pala, quinoa and essential oils. For almost two years now he has been dealing with the news of the little yellow ball with the same passion.

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