In padel, there are winning smashes, well-aimed viboras, wildly aimed grids, sharp volleys, and improbable recoveries. But there is one subject that is rarely discussed, yet fundamental: the difficulty of finding a partner with whom you play well... and with whom you feel good.

Because behind the construction of a point, there is often another construction, much more complex: that of a solid pair.

The illusion of the ideal partner

We all dream of a complementary partner. One who plays left if we're right, who lobs when we're struggling, who reassures when we're unsure. Better yet: a partner who senses our intentions without us having to speak, who never raises their voice, and who always has a word of encouragement, even after a shot hits the window.

This partner exists. We see it opposite us, in the pair that puts us 6/1 6/2 in the quarterfinals of the P500. They call each other by their first names, high-five each other after every point, and seem to be living a true partnership of trust. It's beautiful, but it's not (yet) us.

The field, this revealer

Padel has the particularity of never lying for long. A conflict in play or character always emerges. All it takes is a poorly measured lob, a misunderstood "leave," or a poorly negotiated point for the tension to mount.

The exchanges become briefer, the looks more intense, the silences heavier. And often, the sentence falls: “I think we don’t have the same ways of playing.”
Translation: “I probably won’t play with you again next week.”

Padel, or the art of sports speed dating

Because yes, in clubs, it's a bit like a reality TV show: we try, we test, we change. We write to each other on WhatsApp, we schedule a training session, a tournament. Sometimes it matches, often not. And we set off again in search of the ideal partner.

There are those who want to "commit to the season", those who are "just looking for a P1000", those who are "taking a step back from the competition", and those who are "playing with a friend while we wait and see".

What if the problem is sometimes us?

Because deep down, we also have to ask ourselves the question: are we ourselves a good partner?
Are we able to accept each other's mistakes without rolling our eyes? To encourage each other even after a series of mistakes? To adapt our game, to make concessions, to be reliable in key moments?

The truth is that a padel relationship is as demanding as a romantic one. It requires communication, listening, patience, and sometimes a little luck.

A never-ending quest… or almost

Find a partner you play well with et Finding someone you feel good with is an adventure in itself. Some succeed, others are still searching. But that's also what makes this sport so special: this constant quest for balance, alchemy, and complicity.

So if one day someone suggests you do a tournament “to see what happens,” don’t dismiss the idea too quickly. It might not be your perfect match yet, but it might be a start. And after all, every beautiful story often begins with a slightly hesitant first match.

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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