A true legend of world padel, Hernán “Bebe” Auguste He spanned more than two decades of competition at the highest level, between the 1990s and 2010s. The Argentinian, former global 1 number and multiple world champion, knew only seven main partners en 22 years of careerExceptional stability, at a time when duos were formed to last, a far cry from the incessant rotation of modern padel.

A different era

During his visit to Paris for the FIP Promises by WMEBebe Auguste revisited this difference in mentality between generations:

“In my generation, changing partners after three tournaments was frowned upon. We played at least a full season with the same teammate, often for several years. In my 22-year career, I haven't even had ten partners: I played six years with Mariano Lasaigues, four with Alejandro Lasaigues, four with Gaby Reca, three with Cristian Gutiérrez, two with Matías Díaz, and one year with Pablo Semprún. Today, pairs change all the time. It's a different era.”

Seven partners in over twenty years

In total, Hernán Auguste will have shared professional leads with seven main partners, all among the best players of their generation:

  1. Mariano “Maru” Lasaigues – (1992–1996, then occasionally in 2000 and 2003)
  2. Alejandro Lasaigues – (1997–1998)
  3. Juan Martín Díaz – (2000–2001, then for his last tournament in 2012)
  4. Pablo Martínez Semprún - (2002)
  5. Gaby Reca – (2002, then 2007–2010)
  6. Cristian Gutiérrez – (2004–2006)
  7. Matías Díaz Sangiorgio – (2011–2012)

A rare loyalty, which contrasts sharply with the current dynamics of the circuit:

"Players want quick results, schedules are busier, and opportunities are more plentiful. This is also what makes the modern tour so exciting for spectators. The changes create new stories every season."

The equipment: “What has really changed is the preparation.”

While he acknowledges the evolution of the equipment, Baby auguste However, this qualifies the actual impact on the game:

"I experienced the era of wooden rackets, then the era of the first modern rackets. Obviously, there was a big difference back then. But between what I used at the end of my career and what players use today, the difference isn't enormous."

According to him, the real revolution lies elsewhere:

"What has changed a lot are the training conditions: today, players have physical coaches, trainers, psychologists. In our day, that was a luxury."

An exceptional career

Former global 1 number on two occasions (1997-1998 and 2000-2001), Hernán “Bebe” Auguste has won six world championship titlesalternating between team successes and pairs victories.
With partners like Juan Martín Díaz, Gaby Reca ou Cristian GutiérrezHe made his mark on the history of padel through his exacting standards, consistency and elegant playing style that inspired a whole generation.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.