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Faced with this epidemic, which has made our lives miserable for over a year and, more importantly, has taken the lives of the most vulnerable among us, playing our sport in indoor clubs, like other cultural and social activities, has been declared ‘non-essential’. That phrase, far too negative for 2020, must now be left behind.
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 the conditions for a safe reopening are in place as soon as possible. With the planned — or hoped-for — reopening date of 20 January fast approaching, club managers are keeping their fingers crossed for good news, gritting their teeth as costs and obligations pile up with no revenue to set against them, and, above all, clenching muscles rather lower down whenever they have to meet their banker or landlord.
Padel not essential for the clubs that depend on it? There is no question of disputing the clear need for measures to reduce the loss of life, but there may also be economic casualties. Nearly all clubs began operating three to five years ago, and their investments are far from paid off. How many will be unable to recover from this enforced inactivity, despite government support?
Solidarity and mutual support, values already deeply rooted in our sport, will now be ESSENTIAL. That is precisely why we set up our affiliate scheme, which allows your club to receive a share of what you spend at Esprit Padel Shop.
For our governing body, the F.F.T., it will be ESSENTIAL that the new president elected next month sees padel as a sport in its own right with strong potential for growth, rather than merely a way to attract new members and provide pleasant entertainment for tennis players who, at best, failed to reach the top level. While Mr Giudicelli took a few tentative steps in that direction during his last term, Mr Moretton, in his league, seems to have been doing more of a moonwalk on the subject... Padelmagazine recently took stock of their campaigns.
It will also be ESSENTIAL for the new leadership team to open a debate on the status and representation of private padel clubs. If further proof were needed, this crisis has cast an even brighter light on inequalities in treatment and competition. In addition to the federal and local grants they may receive when launching their projects, so-called ‘municipal’ outdoor clubs have been able to keep welcoming players and building loyalty, while private indoor clubs struggle to survive without customers and some are close to collapse. The balance between risk and investment on the one hand, and benefits on the other, needs to be fairer for both.
Next, to the players: we obviously miss your presence and good humour every day, but there are some things we never thought we would 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 par 3s over one beer, and Benjamin M. on the reverse; ESSENTIAL to be dazzled once again by Hugo B.’s footwork,
ESSENTIAL to see that Pierre G.’s knees are as sturdy as ever, matched only by the mental strength of Thibault P., who has mellowed so much that he now breaks his padel racket only after an outrageous lucky let in the warm-up and the unfair loss of the toss for first serve,
ESSENTIAL to stop confusing ‘Padel for Dummies’ with the pair made up of Jerôme B. and anyone who couldn’t find a better partner for the tournament than the referee: Dummies at Padel; ESSENTIAL to enjoy Maurice O.’s company a little longer before his care home stops him going out for lack of a vaccine,
ESSENTIAL to see Johan B. succeed in teaching Anthony L. graceful movement and Jo Wilfried T. a delicate touch on the ball,
ESSENTIAL to lose 6–0, 6–1 again to the genius François A., who plays left-handed between bites of a Nutella waffle,
ESSENTIAL to see Charles A. build on his progress and his first-tour victory at the last P2 against Micheline and Gertrude, despite their having won the Lyonnais silk-cushion embroidery championship two years running, in 1954 and 1955; ESSENTIAL to enjoy José Lara S. again at the change of ends, when, between cigarettes and in a spirit of camaraderie, he speculates aloud about his opponents’ mothers’ profession; ESSENTIAL to hear JT P. play again, as if going to the opera (#earplugs); ESSENTIAL to rediscover Anaïse R.’s subtle ‘ambidextrous bricklayer’ tactic (concrete block to the left, concrete block to the right),
ESSENTIAL to see Fabien V. back on a padel court before his arthritis or cirrhosis deprives us of him for good,
ESSENTIAL to read that Justin L. is once again putting himself forward for 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 pinches it; ESSENTIAL to see Sébastien R.’s successful efforts to become the voice of all players who are overweight yet competitive,
ESSENTIAL to enjoy once again the brotherly encouragement David M. gives his long-time partner Jean Yves L., using words that could land you in prison depending on whom you said them to; ESSENTIAL to see Alix C. once again take advantage of Spain’s not-so-mountainous terrain to leave a World Padel Tour event by bike; ESSENTIAL to see Michael K. coached by Alizé C. again (taking turns to get a roasting…),
ESSENTIAL, finally, that we can all soon enjoy playing together again, then put the world to rights and have a little banter in the clubhouse afterwards ;)
Finally, it will be ESSENTIAL that you make the right choice when it is time to replace your kit: at Esprit Padel shop, you’ll find the best products from the best brands at the best prices!
Jérôme B.: a knowledgeable amateur, in theory...
