It is a big French name of the Padel: the Lyonnais Johan Bergeron, ranked 2nd national player, this week is playing the Alpine Paris Major this week in Roland Garros, one of the most prestigious in the international circuit.
Associated with the Tricolore Bastien Blanqué (3rd French), Johan will face Argentines Carlos Daniel Gutierrez (34th in the world) and Gonzalo Gabriel Alfonso (32nd world) on Tuesday. A highlight, on the legendary Central Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Find the entire table
Former tennis player, Johan Bergeron operated a transition to the Padel, then still not widespread in France. After several years of practice, he today testifies to the evolution and professionalization of this sport in France.
Sport king in Spain, the Padel has become the most practiced racket discipline in the Iberian Peninsula. Today, 13 of the 20 best players in the world are Spanish, a figure that reaches 19 if we add their Hypanophone Argentinian neighbors.
The country brings together 6 million regular or occasional practitioners, a quarter of players worldwide. A territory synonymous with land promised for foreign players like Johan Bergeron.
Reputed to be more accessible than tennis, the Padel seduces both initiates to racket sports and neophytes in search of discovery. In June, the symbolic bar of the 100,000 licensees was exceeded.
In full swing, the Padel today exceeds the simple sports framework to become a real networking tool. Like a “modern golf”, it allows executives and entrepreneurs to expand their address book, to build economic agreements at the turn of a match, while breaking the ice in a friendly atmosphere.
Maxime Gonalons, Sidney Govou, Anthony Lopes… The accustomed to the games with the big names of Olympique Lyonnais now plans to invest in a partner club project. Objective: to allow members to participate in ten exclusive events, including two hours of Padel with Johan Bergeron, exchange times, as well as masterclass and experience sharing.
Interview by Mathis Lucas.
