It should be remembered that some of the private merchant centers, which have padel labeled, offer competitions recognized by the French Tennis Federation. These competitions thus benefit licensees from padel, licenses offered by the FFT. The latter therefore has every interest in not putting these private centers at a disadvantage in favor of the tennis clubs which are affiliated to it.

Indeed, we have seen that not all tennis clubs have the objective of embarking on a project. padel, for multiple reasons, and most tennis clubs will not be able to afford to create several tennis courts. padel and therefore ultimately to organize the biggest competitions of padel of France. The latter have a priori a bright future in private centers.

In addition to this, private structures have taken the lead compared to tennis clubs in terms of padel and supply. Thus, these structures already have a strong know-how in this environment, a strong network and a large clientele. They thus serve to develop and structure this practice.

We therefore believe, with all these arguments, that the Tennis Federation would have every interest in imposing rules on tennis clubs offering tennis. padel. It must find a happy medium so as not to discourage clubs from embarking on the adventure. padel, but also so as not to disadvantage private centers.

For example, the FFT should require clubs to offer a minimum fee to practitioners so that there is not too much difference in the price of renting the land between private and associative structures, which would be like competition not necessarily healthy and loyal.

Finally, it would be in the interest of the FFT to create more events padel, whether in private or associative structures, open and free to the general public to introduce this new activity. “Buzz” events would attract more media and thus allow greater visibility.

Pierre Lemonnier

Pierre studied STAPS, and validated a master's degree in sports management, after studying in Reims, Frankfurt and Lille. I discovered the padel in 2014 during my Erasmus year in Frankfurt thanks to a Spanish friend. Damn it is good padel !

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