Relis Ferreyra , an Argentinian player well known to APT followers Padel Tower (Ex A1Padel), is present at the FIP Silver Côte du Midi in Narbonne, shares his story, his beginnings in Argentina, his time on the APT circuit, and his adaptation to the economic reality of padel in Europe.

Family beginnings in the Chaco

Native  Villa Angela , a city located in the north of Argentina, Relis Ferreyra discovered padel at a very young age, almost naturally.

“I started playing padel at the age of 10. Before that, I played tennis. My parents started a padel club, with a single court, in our town. I tried it, I liked it, and everything grew from there.”

Quickly, padel became more than a leisure activity.

“At 15, I discovered the  youth circuit in Argentina . I signed up for a tournament, played the whole season and was selected for the junior national team. That's how I got into a  Under-18 World Cup in Mexico in 2015 . That's where I discovered my true passion.”

A helping hand from Fabrice Pastor

Like many young South Americans, Relis had to face a major difficulty:  the financial means to play in Europe .

“For us Argentinians, it’s very complicated to come to Europe. The cost of living, travel, everything is expensive. What allowed me to take the plunge was my meeting with  Fabrice Pastor , during a tournament in Paraguay. He helped me, gave me opportunities, and that's how I was able to come to the continent.”

Thanks to this help and to the  APT circuit Padel Tour , Ferreyra turns professional.

“In 2021, I started playing full-time on the APT. Thanks to Pastor and this circuit, I was able to  find sponsors , travel, and above all  live off padel . "

Relis Ferreyra: "I see padel as a long-term investment"

A new life to rebuild

The end of the APT circuit was a shock.

“When the APT stopped, it was brutal. We found ourselves without tournaments. We had to be mentally strong and  rebuild on the FIP circuit , start from scratch.”

Today, Relis Ferreyra begins a  new stage in his career , with the objective of:  access Premier Padel .

“I take this phase as a  strategic transition . Certainly, FIP tournaments bring in little financially. But I go there with the idea of  earn points , to ultimately compete in the major events of Premier Padel. "

A1 Padel 2.0 egg Premier Padel ?

“Like many former A1 players Padel, I'm in a waiting phase. We've been told that some tournaments could take place this year, and that the circuit would restart next year. But for now, I  continue to invest in FIPs , while keeping an eye on the evolution of A1.”

A life between Seville and tournaments

Installed at  Seville , in Spain, Relis has found a balance between training and personal life.

“I live with my partner in Seville. I train at the  C Padel Academy , with several young talents and FIP players or Premier PadelIt's a real working group, very motivating. I'm happy to have this foundation.”

Even without competing every week, he keeps the momentum going.

“When I’m not playing, I’m training, I’m preparing. The idea is to always be ready to seize the opportunities that arise. And even if the FIPs don’t bring in much,  I see them as an investment for the future . "

Between memories of Argentina, gratitude to those who helped him, and lucidity on the economic realities of the circuit,  Relis Ferreyra embodies a generation of players who bet everything on their passion , despite the obstacles.

“I want to continue growing and making a place for myself. The road is long, but I keep the goal in mind:  play at the highest international level . "

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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