What is theimpact of the French Tennis Federation on the development of padel ? Does FFT allow the padel from develop faster ?

This article will not allow everyone to agree. Given the very sensitive subject, it is a safe bet that we are going straight into the wall with this theme where there are as many opinions as there are players. That is to say !

Indeed, the situation is quite complex in France. Its politics, its institutions, its methods, its history are absolutely not the same as in Spain. The FFT is a unique power in the world of sport. And it is undoubtedly by far the most powerful sports federation in the world of padel.

The FFT inherits in passing a particular history with disagreements and different in the world of padel where it had to be ended.

A federation of padel in 1992.

When the padel arrives in France, a federation is first created, in 1992 in Toulouse. Even if there were beautiful things done in the 90s and 2000s carried out by the French Federation of Padel, the policy implemented has relatively little impact on the development of padel in France.

His actions are also sometimes criticized by his own board or entourage. Many problems arise and the federation fails to grow.

The development will remain vague for many years, and only the investments of clubs of padel private courts allow padel to appear on the hexagon.

In 2014, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) took over the padel by integrating it into its statutes, and obtains the delegation of padel by the Ministry of Sports. The padel then enters a development phase under the control of the FFT.

Sluggish beginnings of FFT

At first, the French Tennis Federation does not really rely on padel, and sport with South American roots is slowly spreading thanks to private structures. Some championships are organized, and a short of padel is installed during Roland Garros to introduce people to this sport, which is rather considered a complementary game to tennis.

The FFT was then criticized for its non-involvement in the development of padel by all actors.

First, fans of this sport complain about the inaccessibility of the padel, due to the low number of courts on French territory.

Secondly, French players who want to be part of the professional circuit request support from their federation equivalent to the support of other national federations of padel.

Finally, private structures are gaining momentum with events that always attract more.

The possibility of emancipating oneself from the tennis federation is gaining strength. The courts of padel appear naturally on French territory (as shown in the table above) under the impetus of private investment, but the increase in the number of courts is not significant enough to make the padel.

2018: The FFT focuses on the padel

The tennis organization reacts by announcing "A strong desire to accelerate development", Hubert Picquier, in charge of club development and padel at the FFT.

However, the latter states " not wanting to oppose tennis and padel ", According to the elected official in charge of padel. The FFT wants to invest in padel and it will put the means there on all levels.

Hubert Picquier will thus bring a real boost of freshness and boost in the development of padel which will take on a very interesting dimension within the FFT.

In October 2018, during the Paris Challenger tournament of World Padel Tour, organized at the Casa Padel (St Denis), the federal commission meets to discuss new measures to help the padel to grow up. Strong measures are taken.

From his names, we can guess his Spanish and Italian origins. Lorenzo is a multilingual passionate about sports: journalism by vocation and events by worship are his two legs. He is the international gentleman of Padel Magazine. You will often see it on the various international competitions, but also on the major French events. @eyeofpadel on Instagram to see his best photos of padel !

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