They've made history in their sport, thrilled crowds in stadiums, and lifted trophies. Today, many of them are swapping their cleats, rackets, or sneakers for a padel pala. From Zinédine Zidane to Ronaldinho, including Benoît Paire and Francesco Totti, former champions seem to be turning en masse to this booming sport. But why has padel become their new playground?

Padel, an accessible, fun, and booming racket sport, attracts as much attention for its playfulness as for the opportunities it offers. This career change is driven by physical, psychological, social, and even economic reasons.

A gentler practice for worn-out bodies

After years of high-performance training, the bodies of professional athletes are often marked by injuries, repeated impacts, and joint wear. Knees, hips, shoulders, back... the after-effects are numerous. Padel, with its smaller courts and shorter travel times, is perceived as a less traumatic sport.

Less intense than tennis or football, it remains technical and engaging, but doesn't produce the same impact. The shots generate less vibration and the trajectories are less demanding. It's therefore an ideal compromise for continuing to play a racket sport without suffering.

Recreating the pleasure of team play

Padel is a four-player sport, where the  communication , the  positioning  and the  team spirit  are essential. For former team sports players, it's familiar territory. The reflexes quickly return, as does the feeling of complicity on the field.

Above all, it allows them to rediscover what many former athletes seek: play, camaraderie, and a bit of competition. It's a way to maintain a connection with their athletic identity, but in a more convivial and relaxed setting.

Rediscover the adrenaline without the pressure

For many, the end of a sporting career is a sudden break. Stopping training, the thrill of competition, team life, and media attention can be a shock. Padel fills this void.

On a padel court, the adrenaline returns. We fight for points, we improve, we play with partners again... but without the stress of a very high level. It's a free practice, where desire takes precedence over performance, but which retains the sense of challenge that has fueled a lifetime.

A lever for image… and business

Padel is not just a personal pleasure. It is also a  media and economic opportunity The sport is booming: more than 25 million people practice it worldwide, an explosion of clubs, tournaments everywhere, and strong media coverage. For former athletes, it is a way to  remain visible .

Zinedine Zidane invested in a club in Aix-en-Provence. Ronaldinho opened one in Brazil. Totti in Rome. In France, footballers like Éric Abidal, Sylvain Wiltord, and Jérémy Ménez occasionally participate in padel events. Benoît Paire makes numerous appearances on the courts. Some become brand ambassadors, participate in exhibitions, and breathe new life into their media careers.

Their notoriety attracts sponsors, generates social media content, and allows them to capitalize on their image while having fun. For clubs, federations, and brands, it's also an opportunity to promote padel through familiar faces.

A form of revenge for some

For some athletes, this reconversion to padel is also  a way to reconcile with sport Some have left their sport angry, hurt, or ignored. Padel offers them a new place, where they can shine, be appreciated, and regain a form of recognition—without the criticism, controversy, or overwhelming expectations of the professional world.

It's a sport of reconstruction, which values ​​commitment, enjoyment, and exchange. It also sometimes allows for moments to be shared with amateurs or fans in relaxed settings, which further enhances the sport's appeal.

Padel, a post-career sport

Padel embodies everything former pros are looking for: play, connection, challenge, visibility, and a way out of their post-career. It represents a  natural continuation  for those who have dedicated their lives to performance.

The professional world has left them, but padel welcomes them. It doesn't replace their career, but it prolongs the pleasure.

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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