Having wrapped up the end of the season FIP Tour à Réunion with two superb events, David Mateo will follow directly with one of the major events of early 2026: the FIP Platinum Marseille From February 2nd to 8th. A logical continuation for someone who has become, over the years and through tournaments, one of the cornerstones of the sports organization on the international circuit.
In this interview, he elaborates his role, the specific requirements of a Platinum FIP, the expected atmosphere in Marseille et his very personal way of managing playerswithout changing any of its principles.
A central role, but deliberately discreet
« My role is to manage everything related to sports, all player requests, whether hotels, transport, etc. I must take very good care of them"Make sure they have everything they need."
Beyond pure logistics, David Matéo emphasizes the ongoing coordination with the referee:
« I also work in collaboration with the referee and the umpires on match schedules. »
A key position, often invisible when everything is going well — and that's precisely the goal:
« When you've done a good job, if there are no problems in a tournament, it means the tournament director has done a good job. "Generally, things have gone well so far. So I hope this time it will be good."
In essence, its role does not radically change compared to the other stages of the circuit:
« My role compared to other tournaments doesn't change much. »
Requirements that exceed those of a standard FIP
The major difference with a FIP Bronze or Silver is located elsewhere:
« On Bronze or Silver, there are no hotels. There are no journeys to manage. "But here, yes."
And above all, the player level changes the nature of expectations:
« The fact that it's the biggest players who are comingI think there will be a little more demanding »
However, David Matéo is not changing his working method:
« I'm preparing for this FIP honestly, just like the others. I don't feel any particular pressure. For me, it's the same.
Working with passion, without pressure
What stands out most clearly is the state of mind:
« Working with passion, with heart, I'm super happy to be here. Every FIP (Festival International de Paris), I am very happy.
Marseille, however, has a special flavor:
« And this is the last square! I'm even happier to be here. I can't wait. »
He even compares the FIP Platinum at a level very close to the circuit Premier Padel :
« A FIP Platinum is still pretty close to a P2. It's a good rehearsal. That's why there's often of the top 10 on Platinum.
A tournament ideally placed in the season
The tournament's positioning is strategic:
« The tournament's location is excellent. The season is starting. There will be pairs who will want to show off, to say that they are here, very much here.
A context reinforced by the changes in pairs:
« There are often transfer windows, team changes. So it's a good tournament.
And the location works in Marseille's favor:
« In France, so at home, obviously, but still not very far from Spain to recruit the best players. »
Regarding the potential presence of the very highest level:
« Julien Nazarian is in contact with several agents of top 10 players. So we'll see.
A smooth collaboration with Julien Nazarian
David Matéo emphasizes the human and professional qualities of the organizing team:
« Julien is a very competent, very motivated, very passionate person. We get along very well.
A collaboration that is already well established:
« We've been working together for a few months now. Everything is going well. »
An ambitious gaming setup at the Palais des Sports
The setting promises to be impressive:
« There will be three central courts in the Sports Palace, where they previously hosted a tennis tournament, a ATP 250 (The Open 13)”.
The layout of the tracks is meticulously planned:
« In total, there will be five tracks Two for training. At first, we'll use four tracks and one for trainingthen we'll move on to three tracks, And even only one track at the end »
Without visual partitions:
« They will be side by side, without any particular separation.with plenty of space to allow permitted outings on all grounds »
The increase in power is gradual:
« We're going to try to use the center track from the quarters onwards. This will need to be confirmed with the FIPMore the semi-finals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday The action will take place solely on this track.
"And I would also like to remind everyone that some of the matches will be played at the FIP Platinum partner club, the CAP 7 Padel managed by Stéphane Penso who is one of the architects of this tournament.
He obviously has extensive expertise in the world of padel. He's known as the padel testing expert, but he also has considerable experience in event management.
Unprecedented FIP requirements
Le FIP Platinum imposes a unique level of requirement on the circuit:
« This is the only FIP tournament where you have to have a chair umpire for every match, all the time. »
A significant constraint to manage:
« In other tournaments, it's often from the semi-finals onwards. Here, it's in every match. »
Player management remains unchanged, regardless of level
Despite the prestige of the set, David Matéo remains true to himself:
« My management of the players, no, it's not changing. My approach will not change. »
A deliberate philosophy:
« I have always managed recreational players as well as FIP players. »
« I come in cool, funny, and quirky. I tease a lot. »
« So no, no, that won't change. »
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