The APT physiotherapist Padel Tower, Marcello Mariani, tells us about the “bobos” on the professional circuit of padel.
How to prevent them and what to do in case of injury? You will see that Marcello also has some anecdotes that say a lot about the differences between players.
"When you are a professional, there is not really a choice: the players come to consult us regularly to prevent a possible injury, but also to alleviate some pain.
The life of a top athlete is not so obvious. The body is very exposed. And it is rare to see a perfectly balanced body. And precisely our role is to help the player during the fluctuations of his physical load and to ensure that his body adapts to them continuously.
In periods of intense work, injury is always a possibility to be faced. When this happens in the middle of a tournament, we often don't have time to find the origin of the problem, we have to put the athlete in the condition to play at all costs. It's a very exciting part of the job for a sports physio but also the part where you have the most responsibility.”
“I think that if you take care of yourself, if you warm up before playing, as an amateur player you don't have to go see a physio. On the other hand, the player who plays a lot, who puts a lot of strain on the joints, must go see the physiotherapist, even if he thinks that everything is fine.
Sometimes, the beginnings of future pain start because we left small wounds lying around or because we did not properly prepare for our physical activity. And time can then do damage that will be more difficult to repair. This is why the professionals ask us a lot, especially after a match. They are subject to very strong physical and psychological stress. To prevent chronic and acute injuries, no choice, we will have to pass through our hands.
You have to try to go regularly to the physiotherapist, get a check-up.”
“Today, physical preparation has become a very important element in becoming professional and going as far as possible. The competition is fierce and the level is such that at some point, what can make the difference is precisely the physical preparation. Players are well aware of this.
Besides, I like to take the example of golf. At one time, among professionals, physical preparation was not necessarily the first concern. Today, to be a champion, you have to be physically sharp.
In the padel, it's the same thing: I think that in recent years, the physical has become more and more important. There are a lot of tournaments, ever more complicated matches, and you have to be ready to be able to take on this physical load while minimizing the risk of injury. And that's what we're trying to do.”
“Warming up is very important. And the padel is no exception to the rule. We see it all week, the players warm up up to an hour before their match. They take this part very seriously because they know that the warm-up can have a direct impact on their match.
First, the warm-up prepares your body for the physical load that will be on the pitch. It helps to loosen the muscles, also to prepare for certain hard gestures for the body.
“For example, one of the pieces of advice that I can give to a player, whatever his level, is mimes, the “air padel”. We can laugh between us when we see a player typing in the void and yet, if you do it correctly, it's a very good thing. Try to vary as much as possible and mimic gestures that you might make during a match.
Miming precisely allows you to prepare, on a neuromotor level, all the gestures that you will perform at high intensity on the tennis court. padel. You will therefore have more fluid gestures; with less risk of injury and false movements.
Moreover, amateur players should take inspiration from professionals at this level. It's quite simple and it would prevent a lot of injuries in some who attack directly.
You will thus be fully operational before starting the meeting.”
“The players each have their own method. And this is a good thing. They know each other and they know how to start a match. Some will want to go to the physiotherapist to settle the last little details, others, on the contrary, will need a more sporty warm-up. But in the end, the most important thing is at least to go through this warm-up course and that it becomes a real ritual. We have a lot to learn from these professionals on the circuit.”
“The players, when they come to see us, we know they have something serious.
It's true that with the gentlemen, some can come to the physio, because they had won the previous time after seeing us… And suddenly, they take us a bit for their lucky charm. Whereas with girls, I think they don't go to physios without a good reason. It's hard to say why.
First of all, I think girls are maybe tougher on evil. Yes gentlemen! And then they also have habits. Usually they have a physio. They are not all ready to go see another physio they don't know during a competition. And I fully understand the logic of these champions.
The intensity of the exchanges is proportional to the physical capacities of each one. So, there are many parameters to consider. But it's true that we feel a difference in the need and the use of a physiotherapist in a competition between players.
Marcello Mariani and Beatriz Jimenez have their offices in Monaco: boulevard des Moulins.
The full interview with other funny anecdotes: