Yann Auradou appointed assistant captain of the French men's team: "It's an honor and a great responsibility"

He is one of the French players who have made their mark in recent years, and continues to compete on the circuit with the exacting standards of a true competitor. Already deeply involved with the French Tennis Federation, particularly with young players, the Parisian now sees his responsibilities expand with his appointment to the position of assistant captain of the French men's national team Alongside Pablo Ayma. Full interview.

"I didn't hesitate for a second."

Yann, how did you find out about your appointment as assistant captain of the French men's team? Was it a proposal from Pablo Ayma? From the federation? Did you hesitate before accepting?

“Alexia Dechaume-Balleret (the Head of High Performance) shared her wish and reasons for me to be deputy captain alongside captain Pablo Ayma. I didn’t hesitate for a second. I just wanted to keep my captaincy with the youth teams, but the two roles can be done simultaneously, so it’s not a problem. The championship dates don’t coincide.”

"Being part of the staff means contributing to collective performance."

What does it mean to you today to be part of the staff of the French senior national team?

“It’s an honor for me, and at the same time a great responsibility! Being part of the staff means contributing to the collective performance. As you know, I’m already captain of the French junior boys’ team, but I feel that with the seniors, the pressure will be (even) greater. In any case, I’m very proud, and if the FFT and the players trust me, it’s proof that my skills are recognized.”

"Pablo remains the boss"

Pablo Ayma remains in charge of the team. How would you define your complementary roles?

“Pablo and I are on the same wavelength, and he remains ‘the boss’. We share the same ideas, the same message, to help the group progress, and for all of us (players and staff) to move forward in the same direction with ambitious goals!”

"Pablo is the captain, so he's the one who decides. Obviously, we're in contact, so he asks for my opinion."

Could language be, in some way, a barrier between you?

"Thanks to my level of Spanish, conversations flow very smoothly... No, I'm kidding, we both speak English so we communicate in that language: there are no communication problems."

Yann Auradou appointed assistant captain of the French men's team: "It's an honor and a great responsibility."

"A little bit of everything"

What exactly will your role be as assistant captain? Observation? Tactical analysis? Group management? Liaison between players and staff?

“A little bit of everything! My role will be to manage the players in addition to Pablo, and to be a link between the players and the FFT. Throughout the season, I will also be going to the FIP events in France to coach those who don't come with their respective coaches, as I did at the FIP Platinum in Marseille. But also to take notes, debrief with the players, and debrief with Pablo if he is not present.”

Do you see yourself more as a liaison, a mediator, a technician, or a strategist?

"I really see myself as an extra help for Pablo and for the players."

How long are you committing to this mission for?

"Nothing has been decided! I hope to be able to help the French team for several campaigns."

"A logical continuation"

Can your experience with young people bring something different to the senior team?

“Yes indeed, I think that the skills and experience I’ve gained with the juniors can be useful to the senior group. Even though it’s very different from managing adults, there are still many similarities in managing a group.”

Does this appointment fit logically into your federal career path?

“I believe that, indeed, my appointment is a continuation of my daily work and my federal career: in my role as Federal Sports Advisor, I also do a lot of scouting. Some of the young people I was able to identify in the various leagues four years ago, when I was at the “Mission” Padel"They are now in the French junior team, and in the short or medium term, some will be in the French senior team (this was already the case for Yoan Boronad and Timéo Fonteny in 2025). So yes, it's quite logical that I have this role today."

"Wearing the blue jersey is an honor."

At one point, the French national team as a player wasn't so far away for you. Now you're part of the senior coaching staff. How are you experiencing this "return" in a different form?

"That was a long time ago (smiles). Joining the French national team is a dream for any athlete in any sport. Wearing the blue jersey and representing your country is an honor. I didn't manage to do it as a player, but I've done it as assistant captain."

"The world championship is the most important event."

The World Championships are in our sights…

“This year, the World Championship is the most important event for the French team (November). Even though the competition isn’t a team event, the Mediterranean Games (August) are also an important deadline for us.”

“Well, as with all World Championships, the men's team can be ambitious. Obviously, our gold medal would be to finish third. Spain and Argentina continue to run away with it. And so far, no nation has really managed to challenge them, even when these two countries field reserve teams. That shows the gap that exists between these two nations and the others.”

However, for third place, Portugal, Italy, and France are vying for the position. Their strengths are more or less equal, and this often leads to tense and very interesting confrontations.

But we mustn't forget Sweden and, of course, a nation that no one saw coming because of its particular naturalization policy: the United Arab Emirates, which could even overtake everyone if the current momentum continues.”

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How do you plan to prepare for these meetings? Will you be tracking players on the circuit? Will you be organizing training camps? Will you be providing individualized training?

"As every year, there will be a French national team training camp, and monitoring of the FIP.

"Today's truths will not necessarily be tomorrow's truths."

Are you already thinking about future team compositions? What criteria will be decisive? International performance? Consistency? Complementarity?

“I believe that to beat teams with players ranked in the world’s top 100, you have to be able to play them regularly in international tournaments. And I also think that ‘current form’ is important in the lead-up to a world championship. Yes, I sometimes think about team composition, but firstly, the championship is in eight or nine months, what’s true today won’t necessarily be true tomorrow, and Pablo will have the final decision.”

Do you have a message for the French players today?

"Just tell them that, given the excellent results of recent months (Blanqué/Guichard beating two top 75 players and taking the first set against world number 1s, Bergeron/Fonteny beating 46 and 100-ranked players, Maigret/Guy de Chamisso beating two top 80-ranked players, and Boronad/Robert winning against 99 and 127-ranked players), we need to be ambitious for the coming years. I am convinced that the French team has a bright future ahead, if we are united and all look in the same direction!"

"Some players have taken a step forward."

What direction do you want to set with Pablo for the coming months? Any ranking objectives?

"I think some players have taken a step forward, and they are lifting the entire French team. I also think we have a strength: our very high level of youth players, who will strengthen the senior team in the short and medium term."

Do you think France has turned a corner in recent seasons?

"Yes, some players have clearly taken a step forward."

“Among the players who have really taken a step forward, I'm thinking especially of Dylan Guichard. Between the French Championships and the start of his season, he's making a very interesting leap forward. If he continues in this momentum and gains even more consistency, he could become one of the pillars of the French team.”

And then, although it's a different topic, we have to mention Thomas Leygue. His return was truly surprising. First, because he seems to be fully recovered, or almost at 100%. Second, because he's already managing to deliver some very strong performances. The more time passes, the better it will get.

We could therefore see a particularly strong French team, between these French players who are confirming their potential and the return of Thomas to action.”

"That's perfectly fine."

Robin announced he was retiring from the French women's team. Have you considered applying to take over the women's team?

"I wasn't aware that Robin was retiring when I agreed to be the men's assistant, and that's perfectly fine with me."

"I'm mainly hoping to score a few games."

You continue to play very well on the circuit… Will some players have to let you win tournaments to hope for a selection?

"I mainly hope to keep taking a few games from them (laughs)."

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.