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Faced with this epidemic that has been ruining our lives for over a year, but above all, let us never forget, taking them from the most vulnerable among us, playing our sport in indoor clubs, just like other cultural and festive activities, was declared 'non-essential'. This wording, far too negative in 2020, must now belong to the past.
For 2021, it is time instead to focus on what is and will be ESSENTIAL!
As for padel clubs, it is of course ESSENTIAL that all the conditions for a safe resumption are met as quickly as possible. With the planned — or hoped-for — reopening date of 20 January fast approaching, club managers are crossing their fingers for positive announcements, gritting their teeth against the accumulating constraints and expenses with no turnover to balance the cost columns, and above all clenching muscles a little lower down in their anatomy when having to meet their banker or landlord.
Padel non-essential for the clubs that depend on it? While there is no question of debating the obvious necessity of measures aimed at reducing the loss of life, it is to be feared that economic casualties are also to be deplored. In this operating phase, which began three to five years ago for almost all clubs and where investments are far from being amortised yet, how many will not be able to recover from this enforced downtime despite state aid?
Solidarity and mutual support, values that are already very much present, will henceforth be ESSENTIAL. And it is naturally with this in mind that our affiliate system, allowing your home club to receive a portion of your purchases on Esprit Padel Shop, has been introduced.
For our governing body, the F.F.T., it will be ESSENTIAL that the future president elected next month considers Padel as a fully fledged sport with high development potential and not merely as a vehicle for new licences and pleasant entertainment for tennis players who, at best, failed to reach the top level. While Mr Giudicelli took timid steps in this direction during his last term of office, it has to be said that Mr Moretton, in his league, was closer to moonwalking on the subject... Padelmagazine recently reviewed their campaigns, by the way.
It will also be ESSENTIAL that the new management team does not shy away from opening a debate on the status and representation of private padel clubs. This crisis has, if any reminder were needed, shone an even brighter spotlight on inequalities in treatment and competition. Indeed, in addition to federal and local subsidies that can be granted at the project launch stage, whereas private indoor clubs struggle to survive without customers and some are in agony, so-called 'municipal' outdoor clubs have been able to continue welcoming and retaining players. The risk/investment and profit ratio must be better balanced between both sides.
Then, on the players' side, while your presence and daily good humour are obviously missed, there are certain things we didn't think we'd miss quite so much… (this paragraph is certified zero nastiness inside ;) )
It is, for example, ESSENTIAL to be able to congratulate Joffrey G. on his dozens of por 3 smashes over a beer and Benjamin M. for the exact opposite; ESSENTIAL to be dazzled once again by the footwork of Hugo B.,
ESSENTIAL to witness the restored strength in Pierre G.'s knees, matched only by the mental fortitude of Thibault P., who, having mellowed, now only breaks his padel racket after an unacceptable lucky let cord during the warm-up and the unfair loss of the coin toss for first server,
ESSENTIAL to no longer confuse 'Padel for Dummies' with the pairing formed by Jerôme B. and all those who found no one better than the tournament referee to play the tournament: Hopeless at Padel; ESSENTIAL to enjoy Maurice O. a little longer before his care home bans him from outings due to a lack of vaccines,
ESSENTIAL to see Johan B. manage to instil refined movement into Anthony L. and delicate ball touch into Jo Wilfried T.,
ESSENTIAL to get bageled 0 and 1 against the genius François A. playing left-handed between two mouthfuls of Nutella waffle,
ESSENTIAL to see Charles A. confirm his progress and his first-round win at the last P2 against Micheline and Gertrude, despite them being Lyonnais silk-cushion embroidery champions two years running in 1954 and 1955; ESSENTIAL to enjoy José Lara S. at the change of ends again, who in all friendliness, between two fags, loudly speculates about the profession of his opponents' mothers; ESSENTIAL to hear JT P. play once again like one attends the opera (#earplugs); ESSENTIAL to rediscover the subtle so-called 'ambidextrous bricklayer' tactic of Anaïse R. (cinder block on the left, cinder block on the right),
ESSENTIAL to see Fabien V. back on a padel court before arthritis or cirrhosis deprives us of him for good,
ESSENTIAL to be able to read that Justin L. is applying once again for selection to the French national team with tact, restraint and discretion; ESSENTIAL to enjoy the timeless bad taste of Franck B.'s rainbow parka before his son nicks it from him; ESSENTIAL to see the successful efforts of Sébastien R. to be the spokesperson for all overweight yet competitive players,
ESSENTIAL to once again enjoy the fraternal encouragement of David M. towards his lifelong partner Jean Yves L., using language that could land you in prison depending on who you're speaking to; ESSENTIAL to see that Alix C. knows once again how to make the most of Spain's gentle gradients to cycle home from a World Padel Tour event; ESSENTIAL to see Michael K. coached by Alizé C. again (turn and turn about for getting roasted…),
ESSENTIAL, finally, that we can all very soon enjoy playing together again, then set the world to rights and engage in some friendly banter in the clubhouse afterwards ;)
Finally, it will be ESSENTIAL that you make the right choice when renewing your gear: at Esprit Padel shop, you'll find the best products from the best brands at the best prices!
Jérôme B.: enlightened amateur, in theory...
