Manuel Vives did not want to repeat last year's disappointment. In 2024, he teamed up with the higher-ranked Spaniard Eneko Arija, but saw the  Paris Major wild card  in favor of a 100% French pair. This time, he learned his lesson and joined forces with  Maxime Joris , another Frenchman. Result: the two men received an invitation to the Roland-Garros qualifiers.

Mixed results since his return

Vives (241st in the world) is returning from injury and has logically fallen in the rankings (146th last year). Since his return, his results have been mixed:

  • with  Joris , elimination at the entrance to the FIP Silver Belgrade against Collado / Hernandez (top 100),
  • with  Julien Seurin , a round of 8 tie in the FIP Gold Gran Canaria against Perino / Domínguez (TS2),
  • and another 8th at the FIP Bronze in Jersey.

No big shots, but solid matches against big pairs that suggest great things to come.

The Guichard case: the big loser?

This decision still raises questions.  Dylan Guichard (133th) , the fourth Frenchman in the ranking (third in the absence of Leygue), did not receive a wild card, either for the main draw or for the qualifications. Conversely, Vives is only 10th Frenchman in the FIP ranking, and Joris 6th. The Vives-Arija case law undoubtedly weighed in: the FFT wants to favor 100% French pairs.

Main draw or qualifications?

One question remains: why not have offered the  wild card main draw at Vives / Joris , those who play the race for points on the international circuit, and reserve the place in qualifications for  Tison / Forcin  ?
The latter dominate in France (undefeated in P2000/P1500), but do not invest internationally. Their world ranking (365th and 498th) reflects this choice. Offering them a wild card qualification would have allowed them to reward their level while leaving the main draw to a French pair engaged full-time on the FIP Tour.

What's Next ?

The FFT has ruled, and Vives and Joris will have to go through qualifying. Still, this reshuffling of the cards leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of some. But one thing is certain: at Roland-Garros, we'll all be behind the French to push them as far as possible.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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