Back to the very interesting interview of Paul-Henri Mathieu by Robin Haziza in Live with an athlete on Instagram.

  • On containment:

I am with my family in Paris with my two children, I am becoming a school teacher (a boy of 8 years old and a girl of 3 years old). The days are pretty busy and time flies. I stopped playing on the circuit three years ago. Being all day with my children allows me to spend intense moments and enjoy them.

  • On his after career:

The body needs to rest. We are trying to put this whole career aside. We can not find the emotions, these palpitations that we have before entering a court. We must accept that we can no longer find these emotions. But there are other, simpler pleasures that we didn't necessarily have: the pleasure of being in family with my wife and children.

  • A moment to keep absolutely:

As a kid, I always dreamed of playing for France in the Opinion Cup. Roland Garros was a dream too. I have sometimes had a fairly close relationship with the public. These are indescribable and very strong moments.

  • His most beautiful memory

The first time I played on central in 2002 against André Agassi, it was my second Roland in the main draw, I was 20 years old and it was a 1 / 8th final. My parents were there, I thought it was a great reward for all the work I had done since childhood. I arrived on the court without any complex. I was leading 6/2 6/3, station wagon on the third, the rain is coming. When I returned from the locker room I was playing less well, he changed tactics completely and won the third and fourth. And I led 3/1 4/1 ball in the 5th…

  • On players of his generation

Djoko, Rafa, Roger, Wawrinka, are much more versatile players than the players of the time like Agassi, Sampras. We didn't think anyone would dislodge the 14 grand slams of Pete Sampras, and it was done by three players in the years that followed.

  • On the behavior of current stars

The players today have a very good state of mind: always friendly with everyone, they systematically respond favorably to requests for autographs, always say hello.

  • On the competition he can live in padel

Au padel, I have such room for improvement, I would be almost ashamed to go and compete with my current level. I have a competitive spirit, I got into it a bit, I have to be number one somewhere. Do you think I can be number 1 in Boulogne? (laughs)

  • On his discovery of padel

It was Arnaud Di Pasquale and Arnaud Clément who introduced me to Casa Padel. But since I live on the opposite side, it was difficult for me to go there regularly. I'm waiting for the courts of padel impatiently in the West of Paris to get started seriously. I also played during the Tennispro Cup. I did the tournament, I replaced someone, we arrived in 1/4 but in half we blew ourselves up: not the level!

  • On his feelings at padel

I hung up right away. It allows me to find sensations with the racket. In tennis I was a long-distance player, there I was happy to be able to play paces, and move less. It took me a long time to understand because at the beginning I was only attacking like a nag! I found it super fun, easy to access and tactical. By making returns with two hands I manage to hit harder.

  • On his favorite side

I play on the left, I get the ball out every time! (laughs) But I do too many smashes, and I don't know how to do the bandeja... I have to master it to pass a course, I have to train.

  • On the challenge between Hanouna / Monfils and Paire / Wawrinka

This is not our level, we can take the winners!

 

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Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !

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