Padel Magazine went to meet Thomas Chérel, known as Tom Pandore, a nickname in reference to all the creative ideas (musical, literary) that burst into the head of the author of the song “Play it like Galán”.

For us, he looks back on his incredible story and explains how all the hardships that forged him gave birth to this music.

An obstacle course, a life course

What led me to make the song “Joue la comme Galán” goes back several years. When I was younger, I was in sports-study football, at Stade Rennais. I played in national 16 years. I did not want to try to integrate the training center, the mentality of young people my age was catastrophic, the big head, etc. So I wanted to go down the category to play under 18, with my friends. 

Little by little, I no longer took pleasure in football, always because of mentalities. So I switched to basketball, I liked it a lot, but at the end of the season, following a bad reception, I got injured. Diagnosis: cruciate ligament rupture in the left knee.

My life changed from that day. I, who played sports every day, found myself doing nothing for a year and a half. I couldn't have surgery because I was too young and my growth wasn't complete.

When the time came, I was happy, but also stressed. Normal, it is still an operation and for a young boy, it is an ordeal. The operation went well, but when I got back to my room, I had what is called vagal discomfort, from there, something broke inside me.

Little by little, I started to sink. When I left the hospital, I was no longer functioning. I was unable to leave my house, I had violent anxiety attacks, agoraphobia. I remained cloistered at home. All of this lasted what seemed like an eternity, more than 10 years. 

The day I fell asleep at the wheel because of the number of medications I was taking every morning before going to work, I realized that I was completely off the mark. I was living in hell. I didn't want to live anymore, but death terrified me. So rather than suffer this for more years, I realized that I had to change something.

Le padel, a lifeline

I changed my diet overnight, I stopped all my treatments, weaning was very complicated. At the same time, I discovered the padel thanks to my brother who offered me to come and play with him. I was hooked right away, unfortunately my demons caught up with me and I plunged back into darkness for a few more years.

Thomas Cherel
Thomas Cherel

But I no longer took it as a failure, but rather as a challenge. I climbed back up again. Despite everything, my motivation remained low and my morale in shambles, even if I managed to function more or less normally and without medication, I no longer played sports.

And one day, I came across videos of “Galantico” and I was immediately blown away by him. His presence on the pitch, his style, his determination. After discovering it, I immediately went back to padel and for a year, I trained, I practiced. I regained the morale I had when I was younger, I no longer resented my past.

That's why I wanted to do this song “Joue la comme Galán” which is a bit of a thank you to Ale for helping me out of the darkness, even if he doesn't know anything about it (laughs).

Thomas Chérel recording studio

Just like Ale

For the anecdote, I went to see the Premier Padel Pairs Major at Roland-Garros in 2022. Galán signed my racquet, and when I went to take a photo of myself in front of his photo at the entrance to Roland-Garros with my racquet, the security people thought I was Ale Galan.

That day, I had a very tanned complexion it must be said, and I am often told that there is a certain resemblance. It only made me want to look like her even more.”padelistically speaking. Many call me Tom Galán (laughs)!

Objective: top 2000, then top 1000

I've been playing the game for a little over a year now. padel and I still love this sport so much. I watch it all the time on TV and I regularly follow the news on Padel Magazine. My goal is to reach the top 2000 first (currently 2128) and then the top 1000. Not coming from a racket sport, I still have a lot of work to do technically.

Thomas Cherel

But I don't worry, I read my future in Padel Magazine (laughs). Until that happens, we're going to make your sister, your cousins, dance!

Thomas Chérel filming
Eleonore Coulibaly

What a pleasure to be a journalist in the middle of the padel, an attractive growing sport. I hope you enjoy the content offered. See you soon perhaps on the slopes!

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