Return on the interview live on Instagram of Thomas Leygue, player of the France team of padel and World Padel Tour.

Here is a summary of the live Podcast of the FACE-à-FACE program produced on April 20, 2020 at 18 p.m. on the Instagram page.

  • On containment

I returned to Aix with my parents because it was not very safe in Madrid. I try to play sports every day as I can, to hit the ball a bit with the walls at home so as not to lose everything.

  • On his journey through the padel

I played tennis for 11 years, I had a good level. I had a series of injuries that stopped me so I stopped tennis. The year I quit, lots of padel were created at the Country Club. I played six months as a hobby then my taste for competition caught up with me and I got into it. I have no more sequelae on my leg so it's better.

  • On his initial difficulties in finding partners

At first I was a bit eccentric, I was hot, I was inconsistent. I calmed down, especially with my first partner in quotes Justin Lopes. Then people had a little trouble with the fact that I am young and that I play on the left. Since the player on the left has a slightly leading side, takes up a lot of space, etc. But I was lucky to find someone who accepts this in the person of Nicolas Trancart.

  • On his transition period between leisure and international competition

When I started to want to compete I went to train with Gaby Reca in Monaco. He told me we could do something so I decided to follow him to Madrid. Today I also have Rodrigo Ovide. With Nico we train with a group of professional players: Nacho Gadea, Agustin Gomez Silingo, Mati Diaz etc. They are very humble so you can easily chat with them. They bring me especially at the tactical, mental level.

  • What Spain brings to the players who will train there

Today in France we cannot reach a very good level. The level of play in Spain is clearly higher, there are many more players to train with. Each region has its circuit so you can play the competition at a high level permanently.

  • On his evolution since his departure

I gained a lot physically, being tall and thin, with my injuries, I still have a lot of work. I progressed mentally thanks to Gaby Reca. And also, in terms of level of play: by dint of training all the players with great coaches and very good players, I necessarily evolve.

  • His association with Nicolas Trancart

We train together, we get on really well. But normally we will split up in Spain, to both play with experienced players who have points. Separate for the moment, perhaps to find each other better afterwards. We will continue to play together in France, however.

  • On his desire to be a left player

I started on padel on the right, it's Gaby Reca who put me in mind to play on the left, before changing my mind a little. A lot of players tell me to play right. At the moment I'm more comfortable on the left, I feel more attacking, more aggressive, I like playing balls in the middle, I can't see myself playing on the right.

  • On his objectives

My goal is to play as many years as possible. I would like to be the top ranked Frenchman on the World Padel Tour. At the beginning I had set myself to try two years and to stop if it did not work but now I want to try as long as possible. So far I don't think anyone is betting on me in Spain.

  • On his year 2019 during which he chained the French youth and senior team

Among young people, I had to expect it. Among seniors, I necessarily believed less. I thank Alexis Salles for having trusted me and for allowing me to live this experience. The players integrated me very well, they even left me room for a match so I was very happy. A week of madness, I forgot this substitute side. It was very different from the French youth team where I was the leader.

 

Find + / files / issues of Internet / INSIDE in the podcast here: https://youtu.be/ZvwAn6D7yUU

Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !

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