For players returning to competition after a prolonged absence from the French Tennis Federation’s padel circuit, maintaining or recovering an official standing involves specific numerical thresholds and administrative deadlines, according to rules detailed by Padel Magazine. Under French Tennis Federation (FFT) guidelines for the 2026–2027 season, rankings are calculated on a monthly basis using a player’s best 12 tournament finishes from the preceding 12 months.
Monthly Ranking Calculations and the Two-Year Inactivity Rule
If a player does not participate in any competition for two years, their original points are generally not retained in the rolling calculation. However, a lapse in competition does not mean competitors must restart at zero. The governing body separates the legal requirement of holding a current license—mandatory for entering sanctioned events—from the mathematical ranking system built on historical match records.
Assimilation Systems for Former Competitors and Tennis Players
To accommodate athletes returning after long layoffs, the FFT operates an assimilation framework. Under the 2027 padel competition guidelines, competitors who entered the French men’s top 15,000 or women’s top 1,000 at any point since October 2018 can receive an equivalent classification based on their peak historical standing and how recently it was achieved.
The system applies sliding scales depending on elapsed time. A male player who once reached the top 500 can be assimilated to the 1,500th ranking if his peak occurred within the last 0 to 2 years, dropping to the 3,500th spot if the peak was three to five years prior, and to the 5,000th spot for a peak six to ten years ago. For women, a top-20 player can be assimilated to the 50th position within a 0 to 2 year window, the 80th position for three to five years, and the 120th position for six to ten years.
Alternatively, the FFT permits tennis rankings to translate into padel classifications. Players who reached at least level 15 in tennis and had a ranking between 15 and 3/6 within the past five years can be assimilated to men’s rank 7,500 or women’s rank 1,500. The regulations prohibit players from reusing tennis assimilation if they have already utilized it and subsequently competed in 12 padel matches within a 12-month span.
Medical Freezes and Maternity Protection Guidelines
Competitors forced out of action by injury or illness can secure ranking protection through a semi-frozen status. For the 2026–2027 season, this safeguard is available to male players ranked in the French top 2,000 and female players in the top 500. Applicants must submit medical documentation proving at least five consecutive months of inactivity to the FFT padel department.
During the protection period, a player’s standing cannot drop below their protected ranking, though it can rise through new tournament performances. Once competition resumes, the protection remains active through the tenth tournament or a maximum of six calendar months. Separate maternity regulations apply to licensed competitors, requiring a formal request, medical proof, and the start date of the break sent to [email protected] before returning to competition.
Licensing Costs and Non-Club Options
Returning athletes are not strictly required to join a physical club to re-enter the circuit. The FFT offers both club licenses priced at 33 euros and non-club licenses priced at 51 euros for adults during the 2026–2027 season, though exploration licenses do not grant entry into sanctioned tournaments.
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