W.Barsotti: "Becoming an indisputable member of Team France"

The 8th French player, Wendy Barsotti, sets out to conquer Spain. An ambition: “become a real gamer padel and an indisputable in the France team of padel“. She tells us about her debut in Spain, her environment and her goals for the end of the season.

PM – A new adventure begins?

I have been officially playing in Spain since the beginning of September in Barcelona. I moved in with Alix Collombon in Sant Cugat in the suburbs of Barcelona. Besides, I'm not the only one since the former tennis champion (ex top 500 WTA), Carla Touly, also wants to get into the padel and she will be part of the team.

I train with Xavi Figols who was second to Pablo Ayma. He set up his academy in Barbera.

I will also take lessons with Pablo Ayma. The idea is to alternate and mix with these coaches.

PM – 2 coaches, is it the best choice?

In the idea, I got involved with Xavi. It is he who will follow me.

Pablo will intervene more episodically to see where I am and possibly tackle the details, but the daily monitoring will be done by Xavi.

PM – How long will you stay in Spain?

I haven't set myself a time. I just want to jump in and not give me any dates. It's a pressure I don't want to put on myself.

Today I am very well surrounded. It's a life that I can't wait to live, I think I'm really going to love it!

PM – Which circuit are you going to play?

The goal is to be able to do the FIP / APT circuits and the Catalan circuit which is very formative. The World Padel Tour is not very accessible...

And inevitably, I will come back to France to do the main tournaments. But I would like people to say of me that I have evolved in my game and that I am even a new player.

PM – A new player?

I'm looking to make a leap. I want to be sure of myself, I want to have this game padel which I miss today. I just miss playing time padel. And in Spain, I think it will allow me to save a lot of time and acquire the base that I don't have yet.

PM – In 2022, can we say that it is a year of transition?

The separation with Lucile Pothier my partner with whom I was to play in 2022, I did not experience it very well. Jessica Ginier returns to the competition and she offered Lucile to become a new partner. So, this year, it's a bit complicated. It all happened very quickly. And I haven't really been able to re-engage with a partner.

For the French championships, I was lucky to have Géraldine Sorel. But on the other hand, I will play on the left with Géraldine, and it is not my favorite side.

We can say that 2022 was a year of adaptation.

PM – For 2023, any idea of the future partner?

In France, all pairs are formed. It's complicated to know who I will play with in 2023. I think that with the start of the season in Spain and the new players I will meet, I am confident. I want to be competitive in France. If necessary, I will come with a Spanish partner.

PM – Soon the World Cup in Qatar, do you believe in your chances?

Sure. I want to be in the France team, but today I am not an indisputable member of Team France.

My goal is precisely to become an indisputable. That's why I'm going to work and give myself every chance to get there because French women who live in Spain and try the adventure, there aren't that many.

Today, apart from two players, Léa Godallier and Alix Collombon, far ahead of everyone, there are about ten players who can claim the other six remaining places. So my place is not guaranteed.

Besides, I find Léa and Alix a little alone in front. Girls, here I come!

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.