Faced with the coronavirus, Sweden has a policy contrary to the policies carried out in Europe: it trusts its inhabitants to respect health standards.

Almost no obligation, only recommendations of social distancing. One of the (very secondary) consequences of this policy: the Swedes were able to play padel.

It is not perfect, since at the moment 2941 people died of Covid-19 in Sweden. But this strategy succeeds in causing as many or even fewer deaths than in many European countries. A success ? Sweden estimates that by the end of the month the virus will be completely under control. Its economy continued to turn even if inevitably, the health crisis had an impact on the northern economy.

There are no crises or rumblings from the Swedish population. She followed the government's recommendations. In sports halls, the Swedes adhere to the letter all the standards that allow them to save themselves. Assessment: the padel never stopped. Life has never ceased.

10,23 million inhabitants in Sweden against 66,99 million in France. Needless to say, France for the moment looks like a very bad student on the international scene. Especially since its confinement is very hard for the country with an economy almost at a standstill.

Were the French able to discipline themselves like the Swedes? We remember the crowded beaches in Normandy despite the recommendations of the government. We remember these Parisian parks taken by storm by people despite the government's awareness policy on the virus. The French complain, but have they not held out the stick to be beaten?

Having an opinion is courageous, but it seems that it is not so simple and that the policy put in place by the FFT is also a consequence of our behavior in the face of the recommendations and advice of the government before this choice of confinement. The FFT does not wish to take the slightest risk. Conclusion: she is criticized. But does she have all the cards in her hand? How can it go against an opinion of a college of scientific experts for the resumption of padel ? Always delicate.

Note, however, that today we play padel, admittedly with restrictions, in almost all European countries. When we read the testimony of Fredrik Hedenbergh, we wonder if we have not gone too far and if this policy is not in fact counterproductive. This debate goes far beyond the framework of padel.

One of our readers, the Swedish Fredrik Hedenbergh tells us:

In Sweden, all the courts of Padel and tennis are open. We didn't have any restrictions except staying at home if you feel bad.

We made it easier to use soap and alcohol for washing. Some clubs have closed the locker rooms. The Padel continues to grow strongly. There are new courts opening all over the country every week.

I normally play in the club Padel in Malmö but now during the spring I prefer to play outside on the Båstad court or at PadelZenter in Norrviken (one of the Zlatan centers).

There are no tournaments at the moment, so players play tournaments with each other.

A testimony which necessarily makes us doubt about the choices of our policies and about this confinement ... But also which makes us understand that to avoid confinement, we need discipline. Are we enough?

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.