Patrick Vieira: "There are many similarities between the footwork in padel and that in football."

Patrick Vieira is a former French international footballer. He is currently the coach of Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace. Like other high-level athletes, he has been drawn to padel, which he plays regularly.

When did you discover padel?

I discovered padel in 2017 when I was coaching the under-21 team at Manchester City. We were on a training camp in southern Spain, and on our way to training, we passed by a small sports complex where I saw people playing padel. I had never seen it before, and I thought it looked really fun. A few colleagues and I decided to play on our day off. I started liking it from that moment on.

What did you like about this sport?

I liked the competitive spirit. There’s also a physical exertion that makes the game enjoyable. I find it easier than tennis: in tennis, you need to be technically good to enjoy it, but in padel, even with minimal technical skills, you can have fun right from the start.

Padel also allows me to unwind, to play with my staff, and to clear my mind, stepping out of the football field context. In Strasbourg, we play regularly, and it’s very enjoyable.

Do you play regularly?

Yes! You can find padel courts everywhere in the south. I started playing regularly in Nice and Cannes, and also in London when I was coaching at Crystal Palace. There are covered courts at Chelsea Harbour where I played a lot.

I’ve been playing for 4 years now, I also take lessons, and I really enjoy it.

Padel is fun, it’s physical, there’s adrenaline, and there are many similarities in the footwork with football. When you use the glass walls, when you have to anticipate the rebound, mobility is important. You need to be quick, fast, there’s a lot of coordination required, and I think that football and padel complement each other well in that way. It’s very easy to switch from football to padel, especially since the court is small enough to allow you to cover it quickly, making it easier to play—everything is in place to have fun!

What are the advantages of padel?

Anyone can play padel! People over 60, kids under 15, this sport is really for everyone, whether you’re a man or a woman. I completely understand the excitement this sport generates because when you play padel for the first time, you realize you can have fun and unwind very quickly.

It’s a sport that anyone can play.

Interview by Caroline Pastorelli