These French championships being finished, I take this opportunity to tell you some stories, anecdotes et teachings around the challenges of a professional career in padel today in France.

Or rather should I say: the building a professional career !

Padel is in full swing expansion on French territory, behind the locomotives that are Spain, Argentina and now Italy.

I have had the chance, this year, and since the pre-season, to accompany Laura Buteau in her professional career (sponsors, partners, logistics, equipment, media). Her particular situation as a player participating in three different circuits (France, Portugal, FIP) brings us a lot of information.

We have no complaints compared to our Spanish friends!

Actuellement French top 20, top 20 portuguese, a world top 300, Laura trains in Portugal, at Direct Padel (Bobadela, Lisbon), and competes under the colors of PadelShot Caen in France.

The first lesson we learn from this situation is that in France, a good ranking already opens many doors. Abroad, a similar level does not guarantee as many opportunities.

Some players have referred to this in comments relayed by Padel May : a Spanish number 50 will often be better than a French number 10. However, the Spanish player will be less sought after by brands, due to a national ranking which closes off many partnership opportunities. Conversely, in France, the Brive market is booming. Among the men, our best French players (who are part of the top 150/200 world) benefit fromopportunities that Spaniards from top 60 do not have. And this is evident on the ground.

cLaura Buteau Deborah Alquier

Sporting criteria often relegated to the background

Which seems logical from a point of view economic becomes unfair from a point of view sports stakeholders . For example, a Scandinavian top 3 will have morebusiness opportunities that a top 30 argentinian.

This disparity becomes even more marked and problematic in the women's padel, where the prize money are not fairly distributed, especially since the end of parity on the circuit Premier Padel. Players must redouble their efforts to attract sponsors.

This is precisely the role I have chosen to play alongside Laura, a project accepted by friendship at the beginning of the year, pushed by my passion for this sport (born from tennis), My know-how and my skills acquired in my career as professional pianist and artist.

Social networks and media: more important than global ranking?

THEsocial media activity plays a crucial role when discussing with potential sponsors ou financial partners.

Being present on platforms like Padel Magazine, a French-speaking reference, is obviously a strategic lever to enhance his career.

To be able to communicate with dynamism et authenticity on their daily life as a professional player becomes essential for each brand, allowing them to justify their investment and their confidence.

Ainsi, le french market is currently supportive and ready to support players who reach the first places in the national ranking (we could establish three levels: top 50, top 20, top 10).

In Portugal, prize money more attractive than in France

Au Portugal, for example, the prize money tournaments are higher than in France, and their organization is very different, with paintings and playing orders communicated up to one week in advance.

On the circuit FIP, the explosion in the number of tournaments this season (linked to the CUPRA FIP Tour and its categories Promotion, Rise, Star, Gold, Platinum, etc.) has generated much discussion. While this model has advantages and disadvantages, it appears to be generally successful, offering a large number of players the opportunity to participate in international competitions at a lower cost.

Today, there are more players, more competition, but also many more international tournaments. All continents are concerned.

The international circuit: taking inspiration from the French organization?

Looking more closely, we also see sometimes approximate playing conditions (as recently mentioned Carla Toully after the injury of his partner in the Canaries) and an excessive concentration of events in Spain. If this centralization is partly necessary, we hope for a better geographical distribution to allow padel to develop more equitably on a global scale.

This would also help to mitigate this well-known logic of tennis in the Challenger circuit : the famous relationship between the purchase, table level and points in play (not even mentioning the budgets involved).

In summary, padel is having a great time growth and today gives itself the means to achieve its ambitionsIn France, it is already possible for a player to fully live this dream and devote themselves to it 100%, provided they demonstrate devotion and benefit from adequate support.

The adventure started by Laura Buteau is courageous, especially since it was not predestined to establish itself internationally. Today, with three semi-finals remarkable in 2024 (1 in P2000, 1 en P1500, 1 in the Portuguese first division), a quarterfinal Asked French championships and several great performances on the FIP Tour, the objective is clear: to achieve a first FIP ​​final this year and win a nice trophy!

Alexandre Prevert

Professional pianist, the Bataclan, but also representative of players including Laura Buteau and now columnist… We won't stop him!

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