Author of a spectacular performance at the Île-de-France Youth Masters held at the Pyramides Club, Nolann Ballay once again delighted the audience with his offensive play, improbable defenses and his famous dormilonaBehind the spectacle, the young Frenchman believes he has reached a much more important milestone: maturity. Mentally stronger, more effective at the net, and soon on his way to Big Padel To continue his progress, he confides in Padel Magazine. Interview.
"I feel much more confident than before."
Padel Magazine : You put on quite a show again today. We saw you coming out of the dormilonaIncredible defenses... And Sacha told us that you've made enormous progress mentally. How are you feeling right now?
Nolann Ballay: I feel good. I'm confident because I'm training hard and doing more physical conditioning than before. Above all, I think I've grown mentally. Today, I feel much better on the pitch.
"Real change isn't just physical."
Padel Magazine : Since the FIP Bronze in Marnes-la-Coquette, have you felt any change?
Nolann Ballay: Yes. In Marnes-la-Coquette, I finished with cramps, but I have to say that I was coming back from the French squash championships and then I had played in a series of team competitions. I was really tired.
Padel Magazine : Have you done a lot of physical work since then?
Nolann Ballay: Not only that. I still need to work more on my physical conditioning, but the main change is in my volleying. That's really the area where I've improved the most.
"Today, my volley is doing more damage."
Padel Magazine : Was that a weak point before?
Nolann Ballay: It wasn't necessarily a weakness, but today I'm doing much more damage with my volley. I'm more efficient.
"I had a score to settle."
Padel Magazine : You faced your former partner Alexandre Barbier today. Did this match have a special significance?
Nolann Ballay: Yes, a little.
I had a score to settle after a tournament last year. I took that defeat very hard. I was leading 6-3, 4-1 with a double break advantage and I ended up losing the match. It was quite tense on the court at the time and I still haven't gotten over it.
Today, I wanted to get my revenge and I think I played a good match. But he's still a friend first and foremost.
"I get more enjoyment on the left."
Padel Magazine : Why don't you play together anymore?
Nolann Ballay: Before, I used to play on the left with him. Then he wanted to move to the left and I played on the right for a while.
Today, I've moved back to the left and he no longer wanted to move to the right.
Padel Magazine : However, many believe you could play very well on the right…
Nolann Ballay: It's not mandatory to play on the left, but with certain partners, that's where I enjoy myself the most.
And I think that when I'm having fun, I simply play better.
"Big Padel will help me reach a new level.
Padel Magazine : The rest of your schedule is packed.
Nolann Ballay: Yes. First there will be the FIP Promises Paris with Clément Monot, then a tournament in Belgium.
Next will come the French Championships and, most importantly, I'll normally be joining Big Padel to train with Jean-Thomas Peyrou.
The goal is simple: to continue to progress and to enjoy my game even more.
"The best French players are still ahead of me."
Padel Magazine : Are you already looking towards the French junior national team?
Nolann Ballay: Honestly, that wasn't my main objective this year. The players selected are currently stronger than me.
Padel Magazine : What do you need to compete with them?
Nolann Ballay: Primarily playing time and more physical work.
I think they are better than me today, but with time and work, why not join them later.
"I want to continue to evolve"
Padel Magazine : What is your goal for the upcoming season?
Nolann Ballay: To continue progressing, evolving in my game and above all to enjoy myself on the pitch. That's what matters most to me today.
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.
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