Philémon Raichman: “I'm working to be in the France team”

Philémon Raichman, partner of Adrien Maigret during the Human Padel Open 2023, looks back at the controversial first-round qualifying match against Belar Vera Lopez and Victor Tur Checa. He also talks about his ambition to represent the France team.

A tense game

“It was a tense game. From the start, I wasn't really into it.

With Adrien, I played on the right side and we were quickly overtaken.

We decided that something needed to be changed. Adrien, who is used to playing on the right, offered to swap sides.

This strategic choice paid off, as the match was completely restarted. We played much better, and me the first.”

A contentious point which affected the game

“I think the turning point of the game came on a very controversial point. The referee did not see an obviously foul ball. He asked to replay the point. It was difficult to accept because this ball gave us three break points in the third set, which could have allowed us to potentially lead 3-1.

The opponents disputed when there was no possible doubt. The bullet clearly hit the side window. However, the referee was hampered by an advertising banner which surrounded the field and which did not allow him to see properly. Opponents don't have that excuse. All the spectators saw that the ball was foul.

After this incident, Adri and I lost our focus a bit. Not only did we lose this game, but we also got broken. Instead of leading 3/1 with our serve to follow, we found ourselves trailing from a break to 2/3.

We were on a good pace. We were coming out of a good second set. And there, it broke our momentum.”

Adrien Maigret Philemon Raichman world padel tour

Mentally, we could have done better

“It's true that at that time we should have been mentally stronger, stayed focused and continued to play at our best level.

We managed to get back into the match, especially towards the end of the third set where we were almost broken. But we hung on.

We stayed out of the game for too long and we certainly should have reacted earlier.

We are in France, during a stage of the World Padel Tour, and we say to ourselves: not this time, not at home.

Unfortunately, we were unable to cash out at that time.

I'm not so frustrated by this third set, but rather by the level of play in the first set where, fortunately, Adrien suggested that I change sides.

In the tie-break of the third set, it's a bit of a lottery. It is played on details, a few silly mistakes, a refereeing error. And There you go."

I already played well on the right

“Contrary to what you might think, I have already had the opportunity to train on the right. And it went pretty well, even very well recently in some training sessions.

We opted for this organization because Adrien Maigret needed to find his marks on the left before the European Games in two weeks with Benjamin Tison.

It's true that since I've been in Spain, I rarely play on the right, and unfortunately it showed at the start of the game.

Spain to join the France team

“If I went to Spain, it's because I obviously have international ambitions. I have the deep desire to integrate the France team, and I work hard to achieve this goal.

The idea of seeing the Daltons on the national team at the same time would be great. However, I know that I have to be more consistent in my performances to deserve this opportunity.

Joining the France team is what motivates me the most and would give me immense satisfaction.”

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.