Guests last June at the Cupra All Star Padel Ranges In Toulouse, Tony Parker and Alizé Lim were able to hit the ball on the slopes of the Sports Palace André Brouat. The ex-tenniswoman and former professional basketball player, recently elected NBA Hall of Famer, spoke at the microphone of Padel Magazine on their encounter with the little yellow ball.

Padel Magazine : How did you discover the padel ?

Tony Parker: “I discovered the padel two years ago in Africa playing with friends, and I immediately enjoyed it.”

Alizé Lim : “They build fields of padel in tennis clubs, so I think I discovered the padel like that. I don't remember specifically.”

Tony Parker - Alizé Lim 2

Padel Magazine : What do you like about the padel ?

Alizé "I love the fun aspect, it intensifies the emotions when there are long exchanges, when the game goes a little all over the place and everyone gets excited.”

Tony "Everyone can play. You have the possibility to play with your children, or even with anyone. And for once it is clear that it is pleasant.”

Padel Magazine : What is the objective of the tournament?

Tony "To have fun. Even if we play against players who play padel all the time, whereas we only play, I would say, once a month.”

Alizé "(laughs) Once a month? Never !"

Tony "Yeah, I don't even think we play once a month. There, you find yourself playing against players who play three or four times a week. So, it is true that it is not easy.”

Tony Parker - Alizé Lim 3

Padel Magazine : Could we one day see a Spurs franchise at the padel ?

Tony "Why not, after all, anything is possible. In the United States, they love it and are passionate about sports. I can see the padel explode in the United States, even if at the moment the pickleball is kind of the trend over there.”

Alizé : "They're growing there, they're building more and more clubs in Florida."

Tony "Me, I think the padel has a good chance of growing in the United States. I don't know exactly how it will develop there. We'll see if it gets bigger at club level, it's a question for the governing bodies.

Alize: “They made franchises in the USA for pickleball, they can do the same for padel. "

Tony Parker - Alizé Lim 3

Padel Magazine : Is a player of padel ever impressed you?

Alizé "So I have never seen a professional match, it will be the first time. I've only seen highlights on the internet so far (laughs).”

Tony: "Last year, Lebron impressed me. He was the best player in the world. It was really impressive. He was fast and it was almost impossible to score a point against him."

Tony Parker - Alizé Lim 8

Padel Magazine : Hoping to see you soon on another tournament

Tony : “I don't think so (laughs). For fun maybe, but not in a real tournament.

Vous pouvez voir the full interview right here.

Vincent Gallie

A fan of oval football, round ball but also racket sports, he was stung by the padel during his adolescence in Galicia. As comfortable in front of the camera as behind a microphone, Vince will be able to bring his vision and expertise as a fan of the little yellow ball.

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