Present at the FIP Silver Côte du Midi in Set Padel Narbonne with Thibaut Pech, Ludovic Cancel looks back on his year 2025, his many partners, his position on the field, his sporting ambitions and his view on the French team.

A season in motion

Many different partners, irregular results… Ludovic Cancel explains:
 “There wasn't really a guiding principle. I changed partners depending on the opportunities. I played both left and right, which meant I had to rotate depending on the availability of each player.” 

On the importance of regularity:
 “It's true that to play well, stability with a partner is important. But I didn't have that chance this year.” 

An aborted collaboration with Alexis Coulombeau

 “At first, Alexis and I were supposed to play together all year. In the end, he preferred to play with Jérémy Garcia. It was his choice. He had a good result against Tison/Forcin, so maybe that influenced him. As a result, I had to look for other partners for the other tournaments.” 

Versatility: asset or obstacle?

 “I know my versatility can be scary. People don't always know if I play on the left or the right. But I've always championed this ability to play on both sides. This year, I've been training more on the right, with Alain Henry at Club du Mas in Perpignan, to improve my skills in this role.” 

 “Yes, changing partners frequently can be a handicap, because it takes time for automatic reflexes to develop. But it also allows you to get to know yourself better, to know what you like and don't like in a partner.” 

Ludovic Cancel interview Narbonne

The right profile sought

 “I'm looking for a stable partner, someone I get along with, and someone we can be competitive with. I hope it can happen after the French Championships. I see myself playing on the right wing today.” 

 “There are more and more very powerful players on the left. I can be an aggressive player on the right, while maintaining my defensive qualities. I have more room to improve in this role.” 

Padel is evolving

 “I've been on the tour for seven and a half years. In the last two years, everything has moved faster. The balls are faster, the players hit harder, and they defend better. Before, you could score easy points on the glass, but today everyone knows how to defend.” 

FIP and P1000: two worlds that coexist

 “I'm more present than before on the FIP circuit, but I'm also still very active in France. Winning a P1000 today is very complicated. The level has risen. From the first rounds, you have to be at full throttle. There are no easy matches anymore.” 

 “I won between 7 and 10 P1000s, I didn't count. I'm winning more today than before, but you have to hang in there. Everyone hits hard, defends well, French padel has progressed a lot.” 

Areas of work

 “What I need to improve is my explosiveness, my speed at the net, and my aggressiveness on volleys. Since I'm sometimes too far back, I hit the balls lower. The work is essentially physical.” 

 “I'm working with Alain Henry. This year, I only trained once and a half times a week because of my job. But next year, I'll be at 50% and I'll be able to be more involved. There's a lot of work to do, but I'm ready.” 

French team objective?

 “A training camp with the French national team? Of course, that would be a dream. I think I'm at the same level as the substitutes, but the regulars are still above me. It's not up to me. What I can control is my training and my performances.” 

 “If I'm up to the mark, I'll be there. If I'm at the same level as others, then the choice will be up to the coach. But I'm not far off.” 

The quiz: the ideal selection according to Ludovic

On the left:  “Blanqué, Fonteny, Forcin, Vanbauce if he recovers, and why not Jérémy Robert for a first experience.” 

On the right:  “Bergeron, Tison, Guichard, Joris. And maybe Julien Seurin to rotate. He hasn't been signed yet, but he's an interesting player, even if the presence of two left-handers could complicate his integration.” 

 “There’s also Timéo Fonteny, who’s a no-brainer for me. And why not Yoann Boronad?” 

Yoann Boronad: an underestimated profile?

 “With Timéo, they form a complementary pair. Timéo shines, Yoan works. He wears down opponents. It's not flashy, but it's essential. Many players don't like to face him because the ball keeps coming back.” 

 “I like playing against players like him. We're somewhat similar in style. But for very aggressive players, it can be annoying. Yoan could earn his first cap if he performs well at the end of July in Perpignan.” 

 “Today, I want to stabilize, progress physically, and why not aim for a training camp with the French team. The level is rising everywhere. I'm continuing to train, to play in the P1000s, to do FIPs. We'll see where that takes me.” 

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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