Thomas Vanbauce: "I need to refocus on myself, my project, my ambitions"

Present at FIP Silver of Narbonne , Thomas Vanbauce He put up a great fight against a very solid Argentinian pair who would go on to be finalists in the tournament. Despite the defeat, the Frenchman leaves with the feeling of having competed, but also with a great deal of clarity about his current situation: his separation from Julien Seurin his brief stint with Philemon Raichman , its desire to open up to foreign partners and its still central objective: The french team .

A frustrating but encouraging defeat in Narbonne

Facing a highly experienced Argentinian pair, including former top-tier A1 player Franco Dal Bianco, Thomas Vanbauce knew the draw was no easy task. However, the Frenchman was particularly impressed by the level of play and the team's ability to challenge such a strong opponent.

"They played very well. Very happy with the match. We really enjoyed playing against teams like that. That's what we want. And to give them a good run for their money is even better."

The main disappointment came from the second set, where the French pair experienced a major slump.

"In the second half, we get a bit lost tactically. I feel like as soon as one or two of us lose our tactical focus, we both get lost. And then, everything suddenly falls apart."

The reaction in the third set still leaves some positive reasons.

"Fortunately, we came back strong in the third. It was a good fight. I think we had the potential to do it, but we came very close."

Thomas Vanbauce: "I need to refocus on myself, my project, my ambitions."

The end of the partnership with Julien Seurin

Thomas Vanbauce's start to the 2026 season was marked by his separation from Julien Seurin , after several months of association. A decision that did not stem from a problem of level or personal relationship, but rather from a lack of collective trust in important moments.

"Julien and I really hoped we could work well together. I think we had quite complementary playing styles, in terms of both strengths and weaknesses."

According to him, the problem stems mainly from the accumulation of close defeats against teams they could have beaten.

"We lost a lot of close matches. I think easily one out of every two, or even two out of three, losses were 6-4 or 7-5 in the third set. When you string those together, you lose confidence."

Thomas insists: it is not confidence in his partner that has crumbled, but confidence in the pair's ability to turn the tide in big matches.

“We didn’t lose faith in each other’s ability. It was more about the team. In the crucial moments, I wanted to create opportunities to change the game. He was perhaps more focused on being conservative and making the opponents miss chances. We weren’t really on the same page anymore.”

A separation without bitterness, especially since Julien Seurin quickly regained good results alongside Johan Bergeron .

"I wish him all the best. He's playing with Jo now, they won a FIP, and I'm very happy for them. Now, I hope I find the right person to be able to do that too."

Thomas Vanbauce and Julien Seurin announce their separation

The test with Philemon Raichman

After this separation, Thomas Vanbauce initially considered returning to the track with a right-handed horse. His first choice was... Yoan Boronad with whom he wanted to play again.

“I wanted to play with a right-hander again. I’d been playing with a left-hander for two years, first with Simon and then Julien. I wanted to get back into the air and rediscover my basic skills, the ones I had when I played with Dorian.”

Since Yoan Boronad was unavailable, Thomas then turned to Philemon Raichman who was also coming out of a period where the results did not always reflect the level of play produced.

"I thought that with Phil, maybe we could match up and get through this phase together to win these matches."

But after a trial in Bandol, the spark didn't ignite.

"I didn't really feel the chemistry right away. And I'm in a period where I need things to work quickly. We're in the middle of the season, I don't have two months to create chemistry if it's not there from the start."

Thomas therefore prefers to be transparent with his partner quickly.

"I preferred to tell him right away that I wanted to move on to someone else rather than continue and drag things out over the long term."

Playing with French players… before opening a new chapter

For several seasons, Thomas Vanbauce has very often played with French teammates. A deliberate choice, directly linked to his primary objective: to join and remain in the French national team.

"My number one goal is the French national team. And to be on the French national team, you have to know how to play with French players."

He also points out that his performances with French partners have been a significant factor in his career.

"I made the French team thanks to our performances with Maxime. I get along very well with Dylan, and with Jo too. We competed in the French championships together. Playing well with the French is important."

But the Bordeaux native also feels the need to launch a new project.

"I don't want to get stuck in that. I want to become more individual, to focus on myself, my project, my ambitions, my level of play, and concentrate a bit more on myself."

It is with this in mind that he is preparing to begin a partnership with the Spaniard Lucas Miranda .

"If it works, we'll commit to the long term."

Since that interview, this new stage has materialized, as Vanbauce has obtained a wild card for Bordeaux's P2 where he will compete in the tournament alongside Lucas Miranda.

A place in the French national team is still up for grabs.

The French national team remains at the heart of Thomas Vanbauce's ambitions. At the time of the interview, the Frenchman did not yet know if he would be selected for the training camp organized by Pablo Ayma et Yann Auradou .

Since then, the answer has come: Vanbauce is indeed among the players called up. .

An important first step before the final selection for the World Championships.

During the interview, he nevertheless explained that nothing was guaranteed.

"I know there will be twelve of us at the training camp, but I don't know how the coach will distribute the players on the right and left sides."

He cited in particular Maxime Joris , which he believes is capable of playing on both sides with the same effectiveness.

"Max is truly the kind of player you want on your team. He transcends himself every time."

The final selection will be made in September, before the French Championships.

"We were told that players not selected for the training camp could still join the team. I think the results from the summer will count for a lot, as will the partnerships the coach wants to put in place."

French men's national team: the roster for the training camp at the Vichy National Training Center has been released

A different perspective on the Premier Padel

Like many players on the circuit, Thomas Vanbauce follows the news of the Premier PadelBut over time, his perspective has changed.

"I used to watch a lot of it. Now, a little less."

The problem stems from posters that he sometimes considers too repetitive.

"Finals appeal to me less. They're often the same. Although the last one was incredible, with Chingotto injuring his ankle and Coello/Tapia showing incredible resilience to turn the match around."

The Frenchman now prefers to watch more atypical confrontations.

"I prefer watching Leo Augsburger play against top teams because I like to see how he adapts."

If he had to compare his playing style to a player on the circuit, Vanbauce doesn't necessarily cite a profile he perfectly resembles, but rather qualities he would like to incorporate.

"The Spanish have much more control than I do, so it's difficult to really identify with them."

He does, however, mention Javi Garrido , for its ability to alternate between very high levels and more inconsistent performances, as well as Leo Augsburg for his ability to turn a match around through his aggressiveness.

"We try to take the best from here and there, while maintaining our own identity."

A busy summer ahead of the major events

After Bordeaux, Thomas Vanbauce's program will depend in particular on the schedule of the French national team.

His participation in the French national team training camp should naturally influence the rest of his summer before he rejoins Lucas Miranda across several FIP tournaments.

The program also includes Marnes-la-Coquette early September, then the French Championships where he will find Julien Seurin to defend their semi-final appearance from last year.

Finally, he will keep an eye on Roland Garros , although participation will depend on a possible wild-card and an association with a French partner.

The objective remains unchanged: to have a successful summer in order to definitively convince the staff of the French team before the World Championships.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!