He was one of the notable absentees in recent months on the French and international circuit. After  four months off  due to a knee injury,  Thomas Vanbauce  finally signs his return to competition. The Bordeaux player, associated with  Johan Bergeron  for the next  French championships , spoke about this difficult period, his rehabilitation and his ambitions for the future.

An unexpected injury in Portugal

It all started during a tournament in Portugal, in qualifying with  Nicolas Rouanet . Injured in the knee in the first set, Vanbauce nevertheless finished his match... and played two more.
"The physiotherapist thought it was just a sprain, so I thought it would hold. Finally, I learned a few days later that it was a  posterior cruciate ligament rupture  “, he says.

An announcement that could have ended his season, but the diagnosis leaves an opening: this ligament heals better than others. "We were talking about three to four months of downtime. So I gave it my all: six sessions a week, physiotherapy, physical training, upper and lower body strengthening."

Three months of hard work

Determined, Vanbauce returned to the field after less than three months.
"The first few weeks, I was very apprehensive. But today, I'm pleasantly surprised to be back at this level so quickly."

His goal: to be ready for the  French championships , his big meeting alongside Johan Bergeron. "I didn't want to be a burden for him. If I hadn't been competitive, I would have preferred to warn him and not play. But I feel ready to defend our chances for the title."

A test recovery at the P1000 in Bordeaux

Before this deadline, Vanbauce resumes this weekend at  P1000 of 4Padel Bordeaux  , with  Elio Sarrat , a young Reunion Island player from the academy.
"It's a deliberate choice. Playing with a right-hander allows me to take up more space in the center, and it's also a great opportunity for passing. Elio is playing very well, it will be a real physical test for me."

A high-level French championship

The pair  Vanbauce / Bergeron  will face strong competition:

  •  Guichard / Vives , among the favorites;
  •  Fonteny / Bergeron , authors of a remarkable season;
  •  Blanqué / Rouanet , an unprecedented but formidable association;
  • as well as other experienced teams such as  Seux / Courrin ,  Seurin / Joris ,  Maigret / Scatena .

And of course, the pair that remains undefeated on the French circuit,  Max Forcin and Benjamin Tison.  

"With Thomas Leygue's absence, the field is very even. The draw will be of capital importance. But from the quarter-finals onwards, every match will be a battle."

After France, heading for Reunion Island

Vanbauce knows that the  selection for the French team  will not be for this year. "I haven't played enough, I can't hope to be called up."

But he already has a plan: two  FIP tournaments in Reunion "It's a place that has been dear to me for two years. My return to the international circuit will be there, probably with a Frenchman. I'll see depending on the selections."

Despite the doubts, the pain and the fear of relapse, Thomas Vanbauce displays an intact determination.
“I am regaining confidence day by day. The lion is not dead, he still roars.”

A strong message before a  expected return to the French championship , where the Vanbauce / Bergeron pair will clearly aim for the title.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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